Investigation on the Interaction Behavior Between Oenothein B and Pepsin by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and Spectral Studies.

Oenothein B (OeB) is a dimeric macrocyclic ellagitannin isolated from Herbs and fruits that have a variety of biological activities. In order to better understand the effect of OeB on the activity of the digestive enzyme pepsin, interactions between OeB and pepsin were investigated in vitro under simulated physiological conditions based on enzyme inhibition studies, fluorescence, isothermal titration calorimetry, CD, and molecular docking. It was found OeB is an effective inhibitor of pepsin, likely acting in a reversible manner through both competitive and noncompetitive inhibition. Fluorescence quenching of pepsin by OeB was a static quenching. CD spectra showed the addition of OeB causes the main chain of pepsin to loosen and expand and the partial β-sheet structure to be converted to a disordered structure. Isothermal titration calorimetry and docking studies revealed the main binding mechanism of OeB and pepsin was through noncovalent interactions, hydrophobic interactions with OeB and the internal hydrophobic group of pepsin, and then hydrogen bonding between OeB and the Val243 and Asp77 residues of pepsin. Noncovalent bonds between OeB and pepsin change the polarity and structure of enzymes, decreasing enzymatic activity. Compared with small molecular polyphenols, OeB has a weaker hydrophobic interaction with pepsin and less effect on the secondary structure of pepsin. These findings are the first direct elucidation of the interactions between the oligomer ellagitannin OeB and pepsin, further contributing to understanding binding between oligomer ellagitannins and digestive enzymes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this study indicate that the interaction between OeB and pepsin has a certain inhibitory effect on pepsin. In order to reduce the impact of OeB on human digestion and its own activities, nano-encapsulation technology can be used in the future to protect oligomeric ellagitannin such as OeB.