Natural Aristolochia Alkaloid Aristololactam-β-D-glucoside: Interaction with Biomacromolecules and Correlation to the Biological Perspectives

Background: Natural aristolochia alkaloids have attracted the attention of both chemists and biologists from the stand point of their structural and pharmacological aspects. Many of the compounds isolated in this group are potent tumor inhibitors. These are divided into nitrophenanthrinic acid, phenanthrene lactams and isoquinoline alkaloids. A number of structure-activity studies have been performed on aristolochia alkaloids. Of particular interest is the molecule with the β-D-glucoside moiety that has similarity to the clinical anticancer agent daunomycin. Objective: The anticancer activity of aristololactam-β-D-glucoside has been thought to be due to its DNA and RNA binding activities among other actions. In this article we focus on the physicochemical property of this alkaloid and the structural and functional aspects of its binding to different nucleic acid and protein structures. Methods: This review highlights a large number of biophysical studies employing various analytical techniques like absorbance, fluorescence, circular dichroism, thermal melting, viscosity, IR study, isothermal calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Result: The detailed binding mechanism in terms of the structural and thermodynamic aspects at the molecular level has been discussed. Conclusion: This review enables to assess the high potential of developing aristololactam-β-Dglucoside and related alkaloids as therapeutic agents.