DNA
binding investigations are critical for designing better pharmaceutical
compounds since the binding of a compound to dsDNA in the minor groove
is critical in drug discovery. Although only one in vitro study on
the DNA binding mode of apigenin (APG) has been conducted, there have
been no electrochemical and theoretical studies reported. We hereby
report the mechanism of binding interaction of APG and a new class
of sulfonamide-modified flavonoids, apigenin disulfonamide (ADSAM)
and apigenin trisulfonamide (ATSAM), with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
This study was conducted using multispectroscopic instrumentation
techniques, which include UV–vis absorption, thermal denaturation,
fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy,
and electrochemical and viscosity measurement methods. Also, molecular
docking studies were conducted at room temperature under physiological
conditions (pH 7.4). The molecular docking studies showed that, in
all cases, the lowest energy docking poses bind to the minor groove
of DNA and the apigenin–DNA complex was stabilized by several
hydrogen bonds. Also, π–sulfur interactions played a
role in the stabilization of the ADSAM–DNA and ATSAM–DNA
complexes. The binding affinities of the lowest energy docking pose
(schematic diagram of table of content (TOC)) of APG–DNA, ADSAM–DNA,
and ATSAM–DNA complexes were found to be −8.2, −8.5,
and −8.4 kcal mol–1, respectively. The electrochemical
binding constants K
b were determined to
be (1.05 × 105) ± 0.04, (0.47 × 105) ± 0.02, and (8.13 × 105) ± 0.03 for APG,
ADSAM, and ATSAM, respectively (all of the tests were run in triplicate
and expressed as the mean and standard deviation (SD)). The K
b constants calculated for APG, ADSAM, and ATSAM
are in harmony for all techniques. As a result of the incorporation
of dimethylsulfamate groups into the APG structure, in the ADSAM–dsDNA
and ATSAM–dsDNA complexes, in addition to hydrogen bonds, π–sulfur
interactions have also contributed to the stabilization of the ligand–DNA
complexes. This work provides new insights that could lead to the
development of prospective drugs and vaccines.