Spectroscopic and molecular modeling methods to investigate the interaction between psycho-stimulant modafinil and calf thymus DNA using ethidium bromide as a fluorescence probe

Interaction type of modafinil with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) was examined systematically using ethidium bromide (EB) as a fluorescence probe by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, viscosity and molecular docking method. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of ct-DNA-EB by modafinil can be combination of static and dynamic quenching. Results of UV-Vis absorption, competitive binding with Hoechst 33258, ionic strength effect studies, viscosity measurements were confirmed that the interaction type of modafinil with ct-DNA was intercalation. According to docking studies R-modafinil showed better interaction with ct-DNA which is consistent with known pharmacological properties of modafinil. The calculated thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy and entropy change, suggested that the driven forces are hydrogen bonding or van der Walls forces. Results of the docking studies were compatible with the experimental results and confirmed the hydrogen bond formation between modafinil and ct-DNA.