ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of riboflavin in PEG/BSA systems

Mariana Voicescu, Georgiana Neacsu, Adrian Beteringhe, Oana Craciunescu, Rodica Tatia, and Lucia Moldovan

Romanian Academy, Institute of Physical Chemistry “Ilie Murgulescu”, Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: voicescu@icf.ro

Abstract: The work aims to simulate in vitro, the antioxidant activity of riboflavin (RF) (Vitamin B₂) in Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) (Tween20 and Myrj52)/Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) systems, using the chemiluminescent system luminol-hydrogen peroxide, in alkaline solution, Tris–HCl buffer, pH 8.5. The tested concentrations were 2–20 μM for RF and 0.06 to 0.6% for PEGs. It was found that 0.12% PEGs enhance the antioxidant activity of RF to higher and lower values, according to their molecular structure, Tween20 > Myrj52. RF has a pro-oxidant effect in the presence of BSA, while in the PEG/BSA systems, its antioxidant activity increases up to ~20%; a cross-linking of PEG to RF in the presence of BSA is considered. Additionally, studies by fluorescence spectroscopy on RF embedded in Tween20/BSA system-enhanced Tyrosine fluorescence contribution. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of RF in PEG/BSA systems was performed by Neutral Red assay and by monitoring lactate dehydrogenase release. PEG/BSA system offers great promise for enhancement of the RF antioxidant activity and biocompatibility, maintaining the integrity of the BSA, facts which are useful in the oxidative stress and drug delivery processes.

Keywords: Riboflavin; Protein; PEG; Luminol; Oxidative stress; Drug delivery

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-016-0057-8

Chemical Papers 71 (6) 1107–1117 (2017)