Capsaicin-Coated Silver Nanoparticles Inhibit Amyloid Fibril Formation of Serum Albumin

We have synthesized capsaicin-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs(Cap)) and have tested their anti-amyloid activity, considering serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. We found that amyloid formation of BSA was strongly suppressed in the presence of AgNPs(Cap). However, isolated capsaicin and uncapped control nano particles did not show such an inhibition effect. Bioinforrnatics analysis reveals CH-pi and H-bonding interactions between capsaicin and BSA in the formation of the protein ligand complex. These results suggest the significance of surface functionalization of nanoparticles with capsaicin, which probably allows capsaicin to effectively interact with the key residues of the amyloidogenic core of BSA.