American-Eurasian Joumal of Scientific Research 1 (1): 23-24, 2006 SSN 1818-6785, ‘© IDOST Publications, 2006 Artemisinin RNA Interaction Ahmed Khidir Yagoub and Damra Mustafa #1 Haj University of Juba, P.O. Box, 794, Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan Abstract: The bioactivity of Artemisinin is assessed by its damaging effect on RNA fragment, Incubation of artemisinin with RNA at different reaction conditions, incluxting irradiation with light, heat ard mi acidic media revealed no RNA damage when examined by agrose electrophoresis. However artemisinin/Fe (IT) caused RNA damage in pH-dependent manner. In contrast hemin dida't show the same effect when used instead of Iron (I), Key words: Ariemisinin + RNA + Electrophoresis INTRODUCTION Cytological studies has shown that artemisinin causes structural changes to plasmoditun parasites membrane [1] and “H-dihydroartemisinin and “Ceartemisinin covalently bind heme serum albumin during in vitro incubation with human serum [2}. The drug serum interaction product is resistant to mercaptoethanol and urea indicating covalent bonding as supported by mass spectrometry. This covalently bound protein increases in presence of iron (II) by 40% and diminish in presence of chelators eg. ddesferioxamine (2) DNA is known to be damaged by Fenton oxidant [3], this inspired Wu group [4] experimenting with Fe ({Dartemisinin analogue. PUCI8 super coiled DNA, calf thymus DNA and Salmon DNA in slightly acidic contltion exhibited exhaustive cleavage of DNA [4], ultra Experimental: Lyophilized Ribomueleic acid sodium salt was obtained ffom BDH Chemicals Ltd. England. All clectrophoresis were purchased from Sigma Chemical Co., United Kingdom, Preparation of electrophoresis running solutions, gel loading, reaction buffers and agarose gel followed Iiteratire methods [5]. Reaetion gel loading buffer and loaded into slots by micropipette Lusing sterile disposable tips, Electrophoresis experiments were run at 80-250 V for a period of 0.75-2.14 h ona horizontal electrophoresis system, The gel was examined in ultraviolet trans-illuminator and photographed using, low land camera ixtures were mixed with 1a 1 1: Ribonueleie acid sodium salt (RNA) (2.0 mg ml) ‘was ineubated for 24 h at 37°C with artemisinin and Fe (U1) ion in phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) and analyzed by gel electrophoresis eats (0.6% agarose). Lane 1, RNA control; Lane 2 RNA+Amtemisinin (10.0 mM); Lane 3., RNAt Avtemisinin (10.0mM)+Fe I) ion (1000 4, RNA + Fe (I) ion (10 mM, 0) Lane RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Mixtures of artemisinin and RIVA in the presence of Fe (IT) ion at pH 7.5 when subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis revealed RNA damage (Fig, 1).Hemin in place of Fe (II) didat show any damage (Pig. 2). ‘Similar observation for DNA with y-radiation has been. reported [6], The apparent acid depencience is due to Corresponding A uthor: Ds. Ahmed Khidir Yagoub, University of tuba, PO. Bex 794, Omdusman, Khartoum, Sudan 2BAm-Buras. J. Sei Res, 1 (I): 23-24, 2006 toa oe 4 Fig. 2: Ribonucleic acid sodium salt (RNA) (20mg ml“) \was incubated for 24h at 37°C with artomisinin and Fe (If) ion in phosphate buller (pH 6.5) and analyzed by gel. electrophoresis (0.6% agarose) Lane 1, RINA control; Lane 2; RNA + Artemisinin (1S0mN0; Lane 3, RNA + Artemisinin (15.0 mM) + hemin (15.0 mi}; Lane 4, RNA‘+hemin (15.0) reactive radial intermediate on pH since inerease in hydrogen ion concentration doesnit change products or thei ratio. No Kinetic work have been done to probe the mechanism of RNA/DNA damage and so many species have been suggested as rexponsible for the attack on rnuoleie bases. Hydroxy and ferry radioal and socondary carbon radicals have been suggested, the liter alkylated DNA (61 Tes contrast to allylation of protein which is very effiient in basic media DNA/RNA interaction with artemisinin are more efficient in aciie media. 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