Study on the noncovalent complexes of ginsenoside and cytochrome c by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The noncovalent complexes of cytochrome c and ginsenoside were studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Ginsenoside Rb2 and Re were bound to cytochrome c to form several complexes with different stoichiometric relation. The 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of cytochrome c to ginsenoside were considered and the dissociation constants were obtained according to the intensities of cytochrome c and complexes when the concentrations of cytochrome c and ginsenoside have been known. Competition experiment was performed to validate the result. The K(D) values obtained with different reactive systems were consistent with each other.