Biocompatible surface-active ionic liquid (SAIL) was used first
to study the deintercalation process of a well-known natural compound
piperine (PIP) as an anticancer drug, obtained from PIP–calf
thymus DNA (ctDNA) complex under controlled experimental conditions.
In this study, we have been exploring the interaction of PIP in SAIL
(1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate ionic liquid ([C4mim][C8OSO3])), ctDNA, and deintercalation
of PIP from the PIP–ctDNA complex through SAIL micelle using
various spectroscopic techniques. Absorption, emission, and lifetime
decay measurements provide strong evidence of the relocation of PIP
molecules from ctDNA to SAIL micelle. Fluorescence quenching and steady-state
fluorescence anisotropy were employed to examine the exact location
of PIP in different media. Moreover, the surface tension technique
was also employed to confirm the release of PIP molecules from the
PIP–ctDNA complex in the presence of SAIL. Circular dichroism
analysis suggested that SAIL micelle does not perturb the ctDNA structure,
which supported the fact that SAIL micelle can be used as a safe vehicle
for PIP. Overall, the study highlighted a novel strategy for deintercalation
of drug using SAIL because the release of the drug can be controlled
over a period by varying the concentration and composition of the
SAIL.