Toxic trans-crotonaldehyde in mitochondria intercepted by oxyresveratrol contributing to anticancer

The aim of this study was to explore how the toxic trans -crotonaldehyde (TCA) in mitochondria or aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) at different pHs was intercepted by oxyresveratrol (Oxy-Res) contributing to anticancer. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were employed. UV–vis spectra showed that the Oxy-Res red shifted the peak of the toxic TCA from 316 nm to 325 nm, while the peaks of the Oxy-Res shifted from 329 nm with 290 nm and 300 nm to 325 nm with 303 nm. In the mitochondria, the Oxy-Res blue shifted the peaks of the toxic TCA from 325 nm with 303 nm to 321 nm with 301 nm. Raman spectra revealed that the Oxy-Res caused shifting of the  CHO of the toxic TCA from 1,689 cm −1 to 1,671 cm −1 with band decline. The CC of the toxic TCA at 1641 cm −1 was split into 1,639 cm −1 and 1,642 cm −1 with band decline. The bands of the Oxy-Res at 1634 cm −1 , 1,617 cm −1 , and 1,595 cm −1 disappeared. In the mitochondria, the CC of the toxic TCA at 1641 cm −1 splitting disappeared. In ALDH, with the decrease of pH from 7.8 to 6.5, the  CHO of the toxic TCA did not red shift from 1,689 cm −1 to 1,674 cm −1 up to pH 6.5. There was no change in the CC of the toxic TCA at 1640 cm −1 in ALDH at different pHs. The conclusion of the study was that the  CHO of the toxic TCA was intercepted by the Oxy-Res under the action of ALDH in the mitochondria, particularly at pH 7.8. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019