Lipoic acid–palladium complex interaction with DNA, voltammetric and AFM characterization

The mechanism of interaction of lipoic acid–palladium complex (LAPd) with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), as well as the adsorption process and the redox behaviour of LAPd, of its ligand lipoic acid (LA), and of the LAPd-containing dietary supplement, Poly-MVA™, were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and voltammetry at highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and glassy carbon electrodes. In the presence of small concentrations of LAPd molecules, the dsDNA molecules appeared less knotted and bended, and more extended on the HOPG surface, when compared with the dsDNA molecules adsorbed from the same dsDNA solution concentration. The voltammetric results demonstrated the interaction of both LAPd and Poly-MVA™ with dsDNA, but no oxidative damage caused to dsDNA was detected. AFM images revealed different adsorption patterns and degree of surface coverage and correlation with the structure, the concentration of the solution, the applied potential, and the voltammetric behaviour of the LA, LAPd and Poly-MVA™ was observed. The application of a negative potential caused the dissociation of the LAPd complex and Pd(0) nanoparticle deposition, whereas the application of a positive potential induced the oxidation of the LAPd complex and the formation of a mixed layer of LA and palladium oxides.