Interaction of cyproheptadine hydrochloride with human serum albumin using spectroscopy and molecular modeling methods

The interaction between cyproheptadine hydrochloride (CYP) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and molecular modeling at a physiological pH (7.40). Fluorescence of HSA was quenched remarkably by CYP and the quenching mechanism was considered as static quenching since it formed a complex. The association constants K_a and number of binding sites n were calculated at different temperatures. According to Förster's theory of non‐radiation energy transfer, the distance r between donor (human serum albumin) and acceptor (cyproheptadine hydrochloride) was obtained. The effect of common ions on the binding constant was also investigated. The effect of CYP on the conformation of HSA was analyzed using FT‐IR, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and 3D fluorescence spectra. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH and ΔS were calculated to be ?14.37 kJ mol^?1 and 38.03 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively, which suggested that hydrophobic forces played a major role in stabilizing the HSA‐CYP complex. In addition, examination of molecular modeling indicated that CYP could bind to site I of HSA and that hydrophobic interaction was the major acting force, which was in agreement with binding mode studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of molecular interactions of Ag2Te and CdTe quantum dots with human serum albumin by spectroscopic approaches

Ag₂Te quantum dots (QDs) have attracted great attention in biological applications due to their superior photoluminescence qualities and good biocompatibility, but their potential biotoxicity at a molecular biology level has been rarely discussed. In order to better understand the basic behavior of Ag₂Te QDs in biological systems and compare their biotoxicity to cadmium‐containing QDs, a series of spectroscopic measurements was applied to reveal the molecular interactions of Ag₂Te QDs and CdTe QDs with human serum albumin (HSA). Ag₂Te QDs and CdTe QDs statically quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA by electrostatic interactions, but Ag₂Te QDs exhibited weaker quenching ability and weaker binding ability compared with CdTe QDs. Electrostatic interactions were the main binding forces and Sudlow's site I was the primary binding site during these binding interactions. Furthermore, micro‐environmental and conformational variations of HSA were induced by their binding interactions with two QDs. Ag₂Te QDs caused less secondary structural and conformational change in HSA, illustrating the lower potential biotoxicity risk of Ag₂Te QDs. Our results systematically indicated the molecular binding mechanism of Ag₂Te QDs with HSA, which provided important information for possible toxicity risk of these cadmium‐free QDs to human health.     

Investigation of the interaction between quercetin and human serum albumin by multiple spectra,electrochemical impedance spectra and molecular modeling

Quercetin (Qu), a flavonoid compound, exists widely in the human diet and exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities. This work is aimed at studying the effect of Qu on the bioactive protein, human serum albumin (HSA) under simulated biophysical conditions. Multiple spectroscopic methods (including fluorescence and circular dichroism), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and molecular modeling were employed to investigate the interaction between Qu and HSA. The fluorescence quenching and EIS experimental results showed that the fluorescence quenching of HSA was caused by formation of a Qu–HSA complex in the ground state, which belonged to the static quenching mechanism. Based on the calculated thermodynamic parameters, it concluded that the interaction was a spontaneous process and hydrogen bonds combined with van der Waal's forces played a major role in stabilizing the Qu–HSA complex. Molecular modeling results demonstrated that several amino acids participated in the binding process and the formed Qu–HSA complex was stabilized by H‐bonding network at site I in sub‐domain IIA, which was further confirmed by the site marker competitive experiments. The evidence from circular dichroism (CD) indicated that the secondary structure and microenvironment of HSA were changed. Alterations in the conformation of HSA were observed with a reduction in the amount of α helix from 59.9% (free HSA) to 56% (Qu–HSA complex), indicating a slight unfolding of the protein polypeptides. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probing the binding interaction of AKR with human serum albumin by multiple fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the major transport protein affording endogenous and exogenous substances in plasma. It can affect the behavior and efficacy of chemicals in vivo through the binding interaction. AKR (3-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl-kaempferol-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside) is a flavonoid diglycoside with modulation of estrogen receptors (ERs). Herein, we investigated the binding interaction between AKR and HSA by multiple fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling. As a result, AKR specifically binds in site I of HSA through hydrogen bonds, van der Waals force, and electrostatic interaction. The formation of AKR–HSA complex in binding process is spontaneously exothermic and leads to the static fluorescence quenching through affecting the microenvironment around the fluorophores. The complex also affects the backbone of HSA and makes AKR access to fluorophores. Molecular modeling gives the visualization of the interaction between AKR and HSA as well as ERs. The affinity of AKR with HSA is higher than the competitive site marker Warfarin. In addition, docking studies reveal the binding interaction of AKR with ERs through hydrogen bonds, van der Waals force, hydrophobic, and electrostatic interactions. And AKR is more favorable to ERβ. These results unravel the binding interaction of AKR with HSA and mechanism as an ERs modulator.     

Spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies on the binding of the flavonoid luteolin and human serum albumin

Luteolin (LUT) is a polyphenolic compound, found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and seeds, which has a variety of pharmacological properties. In the present contribution, binding of LUT to human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant carrier protein in the blood, was investigated with the aim of describing the binding mode and parameters of the interaction. The application of circular dichroism, UV‐Vis absorption, fluorescence, Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy combined with molecular modeling afforded a clear picture of the association mode of LUT to HSA. Specific interactions with protein amino acids were evidenced. LUT was found to be associated in subdomain IIA where an interaction with Trp‐214 is established. Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are the major acting forces in the binding of LUT to HSA. The HSA conformations were slightly altered by the drug complexation with reduction of α‐helix and increase of β‐turns structures, suggesting a partial protein unfolding. Also the configuration of at least two disulfide bridges were altered. Furthermore, the study of molecular modeling afforded the binding geometry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 917–927, 2009. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com     

Binding of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers with human serum albumin: Spectroscopic characterization and molecular modeling

Three hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH‐PBDEs), 3‐OH‐BDE‐47, 5‐OH‐BDE‐47, and 6‐OH‐BDE‐47, were selected to investigate the interactions between OH‐PBDEs with human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions. The observed fluorescence quenching can be attributed to the formation of complexes between HSA and OH‐PBDEs. The thermodynamic parameters at different temperatures indicate that the binding was caused by hydrophobic forces and hydrogen bonds. Molecular modeling and three‐dimensional fluorescence spectrum showed conformational and microenvironmental changes in HSA. Circular dichroism analysis showed that the addition of OH‐PBDEs changed the conformation of HSA with a minor reduction in α‐helix content and increase in β‐sheet content. Furthermore, binding distance r between the donor (HSA) and acceptor (three OH‐PBDEs) calculated using Förster's nonradiative energy transfer theory was <7 nm; therefore, the quenching mechanisms for the binding between HSA and OH‐PBDEs involve static quenching and energy transfer. Combined with molecular dynamics simulations, the binding free energies (ΔG _bind ) were calculated using molecular mechanics/Poisson ? Boltzmann surface area method, and the crucial residues in HSA were identified.     

Interaction of human serum albumin with novel imidazole derivatives studied by spectroscopy and molecular docking

This study was a detailed characterization of the interaction of a series of imidazole derivatives with a model transport protein, human serum albumin (HSA). Fluorescence and time‐resolved fluorescence results showed the existence of a static quenching mode for the HSA–imidazole derivative interaction. The binding constant at 296 K was in the order of 10⁴ M^–1, showing high affinity between the imidazole derivatives and HSA. A site marker competition study combined with molecular docking revealed that the imidazole derivatives bound to subdomain IIA of HSA (Sudlow's site I). Furthermore, the results of synchronous, 3D, Fourier transform infrared, circular dichroism and UV–vis spectroscopy demonstrated that the secondary structure of HSA was altered in the presence of the imidazole derivatives. The specific binding distance, r, between the donor and acceptor was obtained according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study of the interactions between bisphenol-A and its endocrine disrupting analogues with bovine serum albumin using multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking studies

Interaction studies of bisphenol analogues; biphenol-A (BPA), bisphenol-B (BPB), and bisphenol-F (BPF) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were performed using multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking studies at the protein level. The mechanism of binding of bisphenols with BSA was dynamic in nature. SDS refolding experiments demonstrated no stabilization of BSA structure denatured by BPB, however, BSA denatured by BPA and BPF was found to get stabilized. Also, CD spectra and molecular docking studies revealed that BPB bound more strongly and induced more conformational changes in BSA in comparison to BPA. Hence, this study throws light on the replacement of BPA by its analogues and whether the replacement is associated with a possible risk, raising a doubt that perhaps BPB is not a good substitute of BPA.     

Multispectroscopic exploration and molecular docking analysis on interaction of eriocitrin with bovine serum albumin

Eriocitrin is a flavanone glycoside, which exists in lemon or lime citrus fruits. It possesses antioxidant, anticancer, and anti‐allergy activities. In order to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological mechanisms of eriocitrin in vivo, the interaction between eriocitrin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied under the simulated physiological conditions by multispectroscopic and molecular docking methods. The results well indicated that eriocitrin and BSA formed a new eriocitrin‐BSA complex because of intermolecular interactions, which was demonstrated by the results of ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐vis) absorption spectra. The intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was quenched by eriocitrin, and static quenching was the quenching mechanism. The number of binding sites (n) and binding constant (K_b) at 310 K were 1.22 and 2.84 × 10⁶ L mol^?1, respectively. The values of thermodynamic parameters revealed that the binding process was spontaneous, and the main forces were the hydrophobic interaction. The binding distance between eriocitrin and BSA was 3.43 nm. In addition, eriocitrin changed the conformation of BSA, which was proved by synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The results of site marker competitive experiments suggested that eriocitrin was more likely to be inserted into the subdomain IIA (site I), which was further certified by molecular docking studies.     

Study on the molecular recognition action of lamivudine by human serum albumin

In this work, the interaction of an anti‐HIV drug lamivudine and human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by multispectroscopic and molecular modeling methods. The fluorescence emission spectra showed that the fluorescence of HSA was quenched by lamivudine through static mechanism with HSA‐lamivudine complex produced at ground state. According to the binding equilibriums observed at 4 different temperatures, the number of binding site, binding constant, enthalpy change, entropy change, and Gibbs free energy change of the interaction were calculated. The results indicated that there was only 1 main binding site under present concentration condition, and then, the location of this binding site was ascertained by molecular probe experiments using warfarin and ibuprofen as site markers. The interaction was a spontaneous and exothermic process. Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals force were the major power that fixed lamivudine on Sudlow's site I in subdomain IIA of HSA molecule. The distance between donor and acceptor was determined by Förster's nonradiative fluorescence resonance energy transfer theory. Circular dichroism spectra exhibited the alteration of HSA's secondary structures. Molecular modeling investigation revealed the structure of HSA‐lamivudine complex, including the conformation of lamivudine in binding site, the amino residues close to lamivudine, and the interaction forces between receptor and ligand. The study may be beneficial to therapists in understanding the distribution of lamivudine in vivo and explaining its drug‐resistant mechanism in clinical diagnosis.     

Combined spectroscopies and molecular docking approach to characterizing the binding interaction of enalapril with bovine serum albumin

The binding interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and enalapril (ENPL) at the imitated physiological conditions (pH = 7.4) was investigated using UV–vis absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), fluorescence emission spectroscopy (FES), synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking methods. It can be deduced from the experimental results from the steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopic titration that the intrinsic BSA fluorescence quenching mechanism induced by ENPL is static quenching, based on the decrease in the BSA quenching constants in the presence of ENPL with increase in temperature and BSA quenching rates >10¹⁰ L mol^?1 sec^?1. This result indicates that the ENPL–BSA complex is formed through an intermolecular interaction of ENPL with BSA. The main bonding forces for interaction of BSA and ENPL are van der Waal's forces and hydrogen bonding interaction based on negative values of Gibbs free energy change (ΔG ⁰), enthalpic change (ΔH ⁰) and entropic change (ΔS ⁰). The binding of ENPL with BSA is an enthalpy‐driven process due to |ΔH °| > |T ΔS °| in the binding process. The results of competitive binding experiments and molecular docking confirm that ENPL binds in BSA sub‐domain IIA (site I) and results in a slight change in BSA conformation, but BSA still retains its α‐helical secondary structure.     

Chiral recognition of metalaxyl enantiomers by human serum albumin: evidence from molecular modeling and photophysical approach

Metalaxyl is an acylamine fungicide, belonging to the most widely known member of the amide group. This task is aimed to scrutinize binding region and spatial structural change of principal vector human serum albumin (HSA) complex with (R)-/(S)-metalaxyl by exploiting molecular modeling, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) approaches. According to molecular modeling, (R)-metalaxyl is situated within subdomains IIA and IIIA and the affinity of site I with (R)-metalaxyl is greater than site II, whereas (S)-metalaxyl is only located at subdomain IIA and the affinity of (S)-metalaxyl with site I is superior compared with that with (R)-metalaxyl. This coincides with the competitive ligand binding, guanidine hydrochloride-induced unfolding of protein, and hydrophobic 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid experiments; the acting forces between (R)-/(S)-metalaxyl and HSA are hydrophobic, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonds, as derived from molecular modeling. Fluorescence emission manifested that the complex of (R)-/(S)-metalaxyl to HSA is the formation of adduct with an affinity of 10(4) M(-1), which corroborates the time-resolved fluorescence that the static type was operated. Furthermore, the changes of far-UV CD spectra evidence the polypeptide chain of HSA partially unfolded after conjugation with (R)-/(S)-metalaxyl. Through this work, we envisage that it can offer central clues on the biodistribution, absorption, and bioaccumulation of (R)-/(S)-metalaxyl.     

Molecular interactions of isoxazolcurcumin with human serum albumin: spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies

Curcumin is a nontoxic natural product with diverse pharmacological potencies. We report the interaction of a potent synthetic derivative of curcumin, isoxazolcurcumin (IOC) with human serum albumin (HSA) using various biophysical methods. The observed fluorescence quenching of HSA by IOC is due to a complex formation by a static quenching process with a quenching constant of the order of 10(5) M(-1). The binding affinity and the number of binding sites were obtained from a Scatchard analysis. Thermodynamics reveals that the interaction is entropy driven with predominantly hydrophobic forces. From the observed F?rster-type fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), the donor (Trp 214 in HSA) to acceptor (IOC) distance is calculated to be 3.2 nm. The conformational changes of HSA due to the interaction were investigated qualitatively from synchronous fluorescence spectra along with a quantitative estimation of the secondary structure from Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Molecular docking studies were performed to obtain information on the possible residues involved in the interaction process, and changes in accessible surface area of the interacting residues were calculated. The preferred binding site of IOC was analyzed by ligand displacement experiments with 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and warfarin-bound HSA.     

Characterizing the interaction between pyrogallol and human serum albumin by spectroscopic and molecular docking methods

In the present study, the interaction of Pyrogallol (PG) with human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by UV, fluorescence, Circular dichroism (CD), and molecular docking methods. The results of fluorescence experiments showed that the quenching of intrinsic fluorescence of HSA by PG was due to a static quenching. The calculated binding constants (K) for PG-HSA at different temperatures were in the order of 10⁴?M ^?1, and the corresponding numbers of binding sites, n were approximately equal to unity. The thermodynamic parameters, ΔH and ΔS were calculated to be negative, which indicated that the interaction of PG with HSA was driven mainly by van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. The negative value was obtained for ΔG showed that the reaction was spontaneous. In addition, the effect of PG on the secondary structure of HSA was analyzed by performing UV–vis, synchronous fluorescence, and CD experiments. The results indicated that PG induced conformational changes in the structure of HSA. According to Förster no-radiation energy transfer theory, the binding distance of HSA to PG was calculated to be 1.93?nm. The results of molecular docking calculations clarified the binding mode and the binding sites which were in good agreement with the results of experiments.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Molecular interactions of thymol with bovine serum albumin: Spectroscopic and molecular docking studies

Thymol is the main monoterpene phenol present in the essential oils which is used in the food industry as flavoring and preservative agent. In this study, the interaction of thymol with the concentration range of 1 to 6 μM and bovine serum albumin (BSA) at fixed concentration of 1 μM was investigated by fluorescence, UV‐vis, and molecular docking methods under physiological‐like condition. Fluorescence experiments were performed at 5 different temperatures, and the results showed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA by thymol was because of a static quenching mechanism. The obtained binding parameters, K, were in the order of 10⁴ M^?1, and the binding number, n, was approximately equal to unity indicating that there is 1 binding site for thymol on BSA. Calculated thermodynamic parameters for enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibb's free energy (ΔG) showed that the reaction was spontaneous and hydrophobic interactions were the main forces in the binding of thymol to BSA. The results of UV‐vis spectroscopy and Arrhenius' theory showed the complex formation in the interaction of thymol and BSA. Negligible conformational changes in BSA by thymol were observed in fluorescence experiments, and the same results were also obtained from UV‐vis studies. Results of molecular docking indicated that the subdomain IA of BSA was the binding site for thymol.     

Multi-spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies of interaction between two different angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from gluten hydrolysate and human serum albumin

The present study was carried out to characterize Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides which are released from the trypsin hydrolysate of wheat gluten protein. The binding of two inhibitory peptide (P₄ and P₆) to human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions has been investigated by multi-spectroscopic in combination with molecular modeling techniques. Time-resolved and quenching fluorescence spectroscopies results revealed that the quenching of HSA fluorescence by P₄ and P₆ in the binary and ternary systems caused HSA-peptides complexes formation. The results indicated that both peptides quenched the fluorescence intensity of HSA through a static mechanism. The binding affinities and number of binding sites were obtained for the HSA-peptides complexes. The circular dichroism (CD) data revealed that the presence of both peptides increased the α-helix content of HSA and induced the remarkable folding of the polypeptide of the protein. Therefore, the CD data determined that the protein structure has been stabilized in the percent of ACE inhibitory peptides in binary and ternary systems. The binding distances between HSA and both peptides were estimated by the Forster theory, and it was revealed that nonradiative energy transfer from HSA to peptides occurred with a high probability. ITC experiments reveal that, in the absence and presence of P₆, the dominant forces are electrostatic in binary and ternary systems. Furthermore, molecular modeling studies confirmed the experimental results. Molecular modeling investigation suggested that P₄ bound to the site IA and IIA of HSA in binary and ternary systems, respectively. This study on the interaction of peptides with HSA should prove helpful for realizing the distribution and transportation of food compliments and drugs in vivo, elucidating the action mechanism and dynamics of food compliments and drugs at the molecular level. It should moreover be of great use for understanding the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanism of the food compliments and drugs.     

Multi-spectroscopic and molecular modelling approach to investigate the interaction of riboflavin with human serum albumin

Riboflavin (RF) plays an important role in various metabolic redox reactions in the form of flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide. Human serum albumin (HSA) is an important protein involved in the transportation of drugs, hormones, fatty acid and other molecules which determine the biodistribution and physiological fate of these molecules. In this study, we have investigated the interaction of riboflavin RF with HSA under simulative physiological conditions using various biophysical, calorimetric and molecular docking techniques. Results demonstrate the formation of riboflavin–HSA complex with binding constant in the order of 10⁴ M^?1. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirms intermediate strength having a static mode of quenching with stoichiometry of 1:1. Experimental results suggest that the binding site of riboflavin mainly resides in sub-domain IIA of HSA and that ligand interaction increases the α-helical content of HSA. These parameters were further verified by isothermal titration calorimetry ITC which confirms the thermodynamic parameters obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy. Molecular docking was employed to suggest a binding model. Based on thermodynamic, spectroscopic and computational observations it can be concluded that HSA-riboflavin complex is mainly stabilized by various non-covalent forces with binding energy of ?7.2 kcal mol^?1.     

Comparison of interactions between human serum albumin and silver nanoparticles of different sizes using spectroscopic methods

Three different sizes (15.9 ± 2.1 nm, 26.4 ± 3.2 nm and 39.8 ± 4.0 nm, respectively) of citrate‐coated silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have been synthesized and characterized. The interactions of the synthesized SNPs with human serum albumin (HSA) at physiological pH have been systematically studied by UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, three‐dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The results indicate that the SNPs can bind to HSA with high affinity and quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA. The binding constants and quenching rate constants were calculated. The apparent association constants (K_app) values are 2.14 × 10⁴ M^–1 for 15.9 nm SNP, 1.65 × 10⁴ M^–1 for 26.4 nm SNP and 1.37 × 10⁴ M^–1 for 39.8 nm SNP, respectively. The values of binding constant obtained from the fluorescence quenching data match well with that determined from the absorption spectral changes. These results suggest that the smaller SNPs have stronger interactions to HSA than the larger ones at the same concentrations. Synchronous fluorescence, three‐dimensional fluorescence and CD spectroscopy studies show that the synthesized SNPs can induce slight conformational changes in HSA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations on the interactions between naphthalimide‐based anti‐tumor drugs and human serum albumin by spectroscopic and molecular modeling methods

The interactions between the three kinds of naphthalimide‐based anti‐tumor drugs (NADA, NADB, NADC) and human serum albumin (HSA) under simulated physiological conditions were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The results of the fluorescence quenching spectroscopy showed that the quenching mechanisms for different drugs were static and their affinity was in a descending order of NADA > NADB > NADC. The relative thermodynamic parameters indicated that hydrophobic force was the predominant intermolecular force in the binding of NAD to HSA, while van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds could not be ignored. The results of site marker competitive experiment confirmed that the binding site of HSA primarily took place in site I. Furthermore, the molecular modeling study was consistent with these results. The study of circular dichroism spectra demonstrated that the presence of NADs decreased the α‐helical content of HSA and induced the change of the secondary structure of HSA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular simulation on the interaction of caffeic acid with human serum albumin

Fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular simulation were explored to study the interaction between caffeic acid and human serum albumin (HSA). The experimental results indicated that the fluorescence quenching mechanism between caffeic acid and HSA is a static quenching, which was proved again by the analysis of fluorescence lifetime by time‐correlated single photon counting. The binding process is spontaneous and the hydrophobic force is the main force between caffeic acid and HSA. In addition, the binding of caffeic acid to HSA was modeled by molecular dynamics simulations. The root mean square deviations, root mean square fluctuations, radius of gyration and the number of hydrogen bonds of the molecular dynamic (MD) simulation process were analyzed. Both experimental and modeling results demonstrated strong binding between HSA and caffeic acid. HSA had a slight conformational change when it binds with caffeic acid. The obtained information is useful for HSA drug design. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.