Supramolecular Interaction of Molecular Cage and β-Galactosidase: Application in Enzymatic Inhibition,Drug Delivery and Antimicrobial Activity

Enzyme inhibitors play a crucial role in diagnosis of a wide spectrum of diseases related to bacterial infections. We report here the effect of a water-soluble self-assembled Pd^II₈ molecular cage towards β-galactosidase enzyme activity. The molecular cage is composed of a tetrapyridyl donor ( L ) and cis-(en)Pd(NO₃)₂] (en=ethane-1,2-diamine) acceptor and it has a hydrophobic internal cavity. We have observed that the acceptor moiety mainly possesses the ability to inactivate the β-galactosidase enzyme activity. Kinetic investigation revealed the mixed mode of inhibition. This inhibition strategy was extended to control the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The internalization of the Pd(II) cage inside the bacteria was confirmed when bacterial solutions were incubated with curcumin loaded cage. The intrinsic green fluorescence of curcumin made the bacteria glow when put under an optical microscope. Furthermore, this curcumin loaded molecular cage shows an enhanced antibacterial activity. Thus, Pd^II₈ molecular cage is quite attractive due to its dual role as enzyme inhibitor and drug carrier.