Abstract
The DNA binding studies of the triterpenoid derivative, cholesterol, N,N-Bis(3 beta-acetoxy-5 alpha-cholest-6-yl-idene)hydrazine (L) with CT DNA were carried out by employing different optical methods viz, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The ligand binds to DNA through hydrophobic interaction with K-b value found to be 4.7 x 10(3) M-1. These observations have been validated also by fluorescence spectroscopy. (L) exhibits a remarkable DNA cleavage activity with pBR322 DNA in the presence of different activators and the DNA is probably cleaved by an other than oxidative mechanism, possibly by a discernable hydrolytic pathway. In the presence of major and minor groove binding agents, (L) prefers major groove binding of the DNA. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.