Exploring the molecular interaction of mebendazole with bovine serum albumin using multi-spectroscopic approaches and molecular docking

This article presents the binding interaction between mebendazole (MBZ) and bovine serum albumin. The interaction has been studied using different techniques, such as fluorescence quenching spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer in addition to molecular docking. Results from Stern Volmer equation stated that the quenching for MBZ-BSA binding was static. The fluorescence quenching spectroscopic study was performed at three temperature settings. The binding constant (k q ), the number of binding sites (n), thermodynamic parameters (ΔH ο , ΔS ο and ΔG ο ), and binding forces were determined. The results exhibited that the interaction was endothermic. It was revealed that intermolecular hydrophobic forces led to the stabilization of the drug-protein system. Using the site marker technique, the binding between MBZ and BSA was found to be located at subdomain IIA (site I). This was furtherly approved using the molecular docking technique with the most stable MBZ configuration. This research may aid in understanding the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of MBZ and give fundamental data for its safe usage to avoid its toxicity.