Identification of Flavone Derivative Displaying a 4'-Aminophenoxy Moiety as Potential Selective Anticancer Agent in NSCLC Tumor Cells.

Five heterocyclic derivatives were synthesized by functionalization of a flavone nucleus with an aminophenoxy moiety. Their cytotoxicity was investigated in vitro in two models of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells (A549 and NCI-H1975) by using MTT assay and the results compared to those obtained in healthy fibroblasts as a non-malignant cell model. One of the aminophenoxy flavone derivatives (APF-1) was found to be effective at low micromolar concentrations in both lung cancer cell lines with a higher selective index (SI). Flow cytometric analyses showed that APF-1 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase through the up-regulation of p21 expression. Therefore, the aminophenoxy flavone-based compounds may be promising cancer-selective agents and could serve as a base for further research into the design of flavone-based anticancer drugs.

Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on EGFR Signaling and Migration in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most well-studied molecular targets in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been shown to be effective in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Nevertheless, the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors could be compromised by additional mutations in EGFR and compensatory activations of other pathways. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main bioactive molecule in green tea, acts as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor toward cancer cells overexpressing EGFR (wild-type). However, little information has been reported on the effect of EGCG on EGFR with activating mutations. In this study, we evaluated the ability of EGCG to inhibit EGFR signaling activation in three different NSCLC cell lines containing wild-type EGFR or EGFR with additional mutations. The effect on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and vinculin expression was then studied. Overall, our results demonstrate that EGCG polyphenol inhibits cell proliferation and migration in NSCLC cell lines, although with different efficacy and mechanisms. These data may be of interest for an evaluation of the use of EGCG as an adjunct to NSCLC therapies.

Protein-protein interactions of human glyoxalase II: findings of a reliable docking protocol.

Glyoxalase II (GlxII) is an antioxidant glutathione-dependent enzyme, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of S-d-lactoylglutathione to form d-lactic acid and glutathione (GSH). The last product is the most important thiol reducing agent present in all eukaryotic cells that have mitochondria and chloroplasts. It is generally known that GSH plays a crucial role not only in the cellular redox state but also in various cellular processes. One of them is protein S-glutathionylation, a process that can occur through an oxidation reaction of proteins' thiol groups by GSH. Changes in protein S-glutathionylation have been associated with a range of human diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Within a major project aimed at elucidating the role of GlxII in the mechanism of S-glutathionylation, a reliable computational protocol consisting of a protein-protein docking approach followed by atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations was developed and it was applied to the prediction of molecular associations between human GlxII (in the presence and absence of GSH) and some proteins that are known to be S-glutathionylated in vitro, such as actin, malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The computational results show a high propensity of GlxII to interact with actin and MDH through its active site and a high stability of the GlxII-protein systems when GSH is present. Moreover, close proximities of GSH with actin and MDH cysteine residues have been found, suggesting that GlxII could be able to perform protein S-glutathionylation by using the GSH molecule present in its catalytic site.

ExportAid: database of RNA elements regulating nuclear RNA export in mammals.

MOTIVATION: Regulation of nuclear mRNA export or retention is carried out by RNA elements but the mechanism is not yet well understood. To understand the mRNA export process, it is important to collect all the involved RNA elements and their trans-acting factors. RESULTS: By hand-curated literature screening we collected, in ExportAid database, experimentally assessed data about RNA elements regulating nuclear export or retention of endogenous, heterologous or artificial RNAs in mammalian cells. This database could help to understand the RNA export language and to study the possible export efficiency alterations owing to mutations or polymorphisms. Currently, ExportAid stores 235 and 96 RNA elements, respectively, increasing and decreasing export efficiency, and 98 neutral assessed sequences. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Freely accessible without registration at http://www.introni.it/ExportAid/ExportAid.html. Database and web interface are implemented in Perl, MySQL, Apache and JavaScript with all major browsers supported.

A possible S-glutathionylation of specific proteins by glyoxalase II: An in vitro and in silico study.

Glyoxalase II, the second of 2 enzymes in the glyoxalase system, is a hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase that catalyses the hydrolysis of S-d-lactoylglutathione to form d-lactic acid and glutathione, which is released from the active site. The tripeptide glutathione is the major sulfhydryl antioxidant and has been shown to control several functions, including S-glutathionylation of proteins. S-Glutathionylation is a way for the cells to store reduced glutathione during oxidative stress, or to protect protein thiol groups from irreversible oxidation, and few enzymes involved in protein S-glutathionylation have been found to date. In this work, the enzyme glyoxalase II and its substrate S-d-lactoylglutathione were incubated with malate dehydrogenase or with actin, resulting in a glutathionylation reaction. Glyoxalase II was also submitted to docking studies. Computational data presented a high propensity of the enzyme to interact with malate dehydrogenase or actin through its catalytic site and further in silico investigation showed a high folding stability of glyoxalase II toward its own reaction product glutathione both protonated and unprotonated. This study suggests that glyoxalase II, through a specific interaction of its catalytic site with target proteins, could be able to perform a rapid and specific protein S-glutathionylation using its natural substrate S-d-lactoylglutathione. SIGNIFICANCE: This article reports for the first time a possible additional role of Glo2 that, after interacting with a target protein, is able to promote S-glutathionylation using its natural substrate SLG, a glutathione derived compound. In this perspective, Glo2 can play a new important regulatory role inS-glutathionylation, acquiring further significance in cellular post-translational modifications of proteins.

Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid: antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects in plasma and peripheral blood lymphocytes of supplemented subjects.

Reactive oxygen species not only cause damage but also have a physiological role in the protection against pathogens and in cell signalling. Mitochondrial nutrients, such as coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid, beside their acknowledged antioxidant activities, show interesting features in relation to their redox state and consequent biological activity. In this study, we tested whether oral supplementation with 200 mg/day of coenzyme Q10 alone or in association with 200 mg/die of α-lipoic acid for 15 days on 16 healthy subjects was able to modulate the oxidative status into different compartments (plasma and cells), in basal condition and following an oxidative insult in peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to H2O2. Data have shown that tested compounds produced antioxidant and bioenergetic effects improving oxidative status of the lipid compartment and mitochondrial functionality in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Simultaneously, an increased intracellular reactive oxygen species level was observed, although they did not lead to enhanced DNA oxidative damage. Coenzyme Q10 and α-lipoic acid produced beneficial effects also steering intracellular redox poise toward a pro-oxidant environment. In contrast with other antioxidant molecules, pro-oxidant activities of tested mitochondrial nutrients and consequent oxidant mediated signalling, could have important implications in promoting adaptive response to oxidative stress.

Mechanisms of action of mineral fibres in a placental syncytiotrophoblast model: An in vitro toxicology study.

Asbestos has been widely used due to its unique characteristics. It is known that exposure to asbestos causes serious damage to health but one species, chrysolite, is still used because it is considered less toxic and not biopersistent in some countries. The aim of our study was to investigate if cellular process underlying the proliferation, differentiation and cell death of placental tissues could be modify in presence of asbestos fibres (50 µg/ml final concentration), long chrysolite fibres (CHR-L) and short chrysolite fibres (CHR-S), using BeWo cell line, an in vitro model that mimics the syncytiotrophoblast (STB), the outer layer of placental villi. Our data demonstrated that none of the fibres analysed alter syncytiotrophoblast formation but all of them induce ROS formation and reduced cell proliferation. Moreover, we showed that only CHR-L fibre induced was able to induce irreversible DNA alterations that carried cells to apoptosis. In fact, BeWo cells exposed to CHR-L fibre showed a significant increase in cleaved CASP3 protein, a marker of apoptosis. These data suggest that CHR-L may induce death of the placental villi leading to impaired placental development. The impairment of placental development is the basis of many gestational pathologies such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. Since these pathologies are very dangerous for foetal and maternal life, we suggest to the gynaecologists to carefully evaluate the area of maternal residence, the working environment, the food used, and the materials used daily to avoid contact with these fibres as much as possible.

Glutathionyl Hemoglobin and Its Emerging Role as a Clinical Biomarker of Chronic Oxidative Stress.

Hemoglobin is one of the proteins that are more susceptible to S-glutathionylation and the levels of its modified form, glutathionyl hemoglobin (HbSSG), increase in several human pathological conditions. The scope of the present review is to provide knowledge about how hemoglobin is subjected to S-glutathionylation and how this modification affects its functionality. The different diseases that showed increased levels of HbSSG and the methods used for its quantification in clinical investigations will be also outlined. Since there is a growing need for precise and reliable methods for markers of oxidative stress in human blood, this review highlights how HbSSG is emerging more and more as a good indicator of severe oxidative stress but also as a key pathogenic factor in several diseases.

Integration of Lipid-Functionalized Epigallocatechin-3-gallate into PLGA Matrix as a Novel Polyphenol-Based Nanoantioxidant.

The search for polyphenol-based materials with antioxidant activity is a growing research area in the biomedical field. To obtain an efficient and stable nanoantioxidant, a novel biosystem was designed by integrating a lipophilic derivative of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (named EGCG-C18) on the surface of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol) (DSPE-PEG2000) were selected as polymeric and lipidic stabilizers, respectively, and their influence on both physical properties and the antioxidant activity of nanoantioxidant was investigated by a combined in silico and experimental approach. Full-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to describe the different self-assembly processes of all components and the interactions that guided the EGCG-C18 insertion inside the PLGA matrix. Together with infrared spectroscopy results, the formation of an antioxidant lipid shell on the PLGA surface was clear. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy showed that in the presence of DSPE-PEG2000, NPs were smaller than those treated with PVA. In addition, the different stabilizers used strongly influenced the ROS-scavenging ability of nanomaterials and this effect was strictly related to the molecular organization of EGCG-C18. MD showed that the apolar interaction between the alkyl chains of DSPE-PEG2000 and EGCG-C18 oriented the phenolic groups of the polyphenol toward the solvent, providing an ability of NP to scavenge hydroxyl radicals over to free EGCG-C18 and PLGA/PVA NPs. Finally, the ability of nanoantioxidants to protect human dermal fibroblasts from cell death induced by oxidative stress has been tested, revealing the high potential of these novel NPs as polyphenol-based materials.

Meldonium Inhibits Cell Motility and Wound-Healing in Trabecular Meshwork Cells and Scleral Fibroblasts: Possible Applications in Glaucoma.

Meldonium (MID) is a synthetic drug designed to decrease the availability of L-carnitine-a main player in mitochondrial energy generation-thus modulating the cell pathways of energy metabolism. Its clinical effects are mostly evident in blood vessels during ischemic events, when the hyperproduction of endogenous carnitine enhances cell metabolic activities, leading to increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. MID has shown vaso-protective effects in model systems of endothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose or by hypertension. By stimulating the endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS) via PI3 and Akt kinase, it has shown beneficial effects on the microcirculation and blood perfusion. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and endothelial dysfunction are major risk factors for glaucoma development and progression, and IOP remains the main target for its pharmacological treatment. IOP is maintained through the filtration efficiency of the trabecular meshwork (TM), a porous tissue derived from the neuroectoderm. Therefore, given the effects of MID on blood vessels and endothelial cells, we investigated the effects of the topical instillation of MID eye drops on the IOP of normotensive rats and on the cell metabolism and motility of human TM cells in vitro. Results show a significant dose-dependent decrease in the IOP upon topic treatment and a decrease in TM cell motility in the wound-healing assay, correlating with an enhanced expression of vinculin localized in focal adhesion plaques. Motility inhibition was also evident on scleral fibroblasts in vitro. These results may encourage a further exploration of MID eye drops in glaucoma treatment.

Influence of a lipophilic edaravone on physical state and activity of antioxidant liposomes: An experimental and in silico study.

The influence of a lipophilic derivative of Edaravone (C18Edv) on a POPC liposomal bilayer has been investigated by a combined computational-experimental approach. The order and hydration degree of three different systems composed by 10%, 20% and 40% in w/w percentage of C18Edv respect to POPC were investigated through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and fluorescence spectroscopy experiments. Dynamic Light Scattering measurements showed how the presence of different amounts of C18EdV determines differences on liposome size and stability. The survey revealed that the content of lipophilic antioxidant tunes liposome rigidity and influences cellular uptake and antioxidant activity which are maximized for formulation containing 20% of C18Edv.

Glyoxalase 2: Towards a Broader View of the Second Player of the Glyoxalase System.

Glyoxalase 2 is a mitochondrial and cytoplasmic protein belonging to the metallo-ß-lactamase family encoded by the hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase (HAGH) gene. This enzyme is the second enzyme of the glyoxalase system that is responsible for detoxification of the α-ketothaldehyde methylglyoxal in cells. The two enzymes glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) and glyoxalase 2 (Glo2) form the complete glyoxalase pathway, which utilizes glutathione as cofactor in eukaryotic cells. The importance of Glo2 is highlighted by its ubiquitous distribution in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Its function in the system has been well defined, but in recent years, additional roles are emerging, especially those related to oxidative stress. This review focuses on Glo2 by considering its genetics, molecular and structural properties, its involvement in post-translational modifications and its interaction with specific metabolic pathways. The purpose of this review is to focus attention on an enzyme that, from the most recent studies, appears to play a role in multiple regulatory pathways that may be important in certain diseases such as cancer or oxidative stress-related diseases.

Tuning curvature and phase behavior of monoolein bilayers by epigallocatechin-3-gallate: Structural insight and cytotoxicity.

The use of glyceryl monooleate (GMO)-based nanoparticles has not yet been explored in overcoming the low bioavailability of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol with a known anticancer activity. Since the inclusion of a guest molecule can affect the curvature and the supramolecular structure of fully hydrated GMO-based phase, the phase behavior of bulk and dispersed liquid crystalline systems containing EGCG were explored by Small Angle Neutron Scattering and X-Ray Diffraction experiments. Molecular Dynamic Simulations showed how the interaction of EGCG with polar heads of GMO strongly affects the curvature and packing of GMO phase. The EGCG encapsulation efficiency was determined in the nanodispersions and their size studied by Dynamic Light Scattering and Atomic Force Microscopy. A nanodispersed formulation has been optimized with a cytotoxic effect more than additive of GMO and EGCG.

Bioinformatic analyses to select phenotype affecting polymorphisms in HTR2C gene.

OBJECTIVE: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in serotonin related genes influence mental disorders, responses to pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments. In planning association studies, researchers that want to investigate new SNPs have to select some among a large number of candidates. Our aim is to guide researchers in the selection of the most likely phenotype affecting polymorphisms. Here, we studied serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) SNPs because, till now, only relatively few of about 2000 are investigated. METHODS: We used the most updated and assessed bioinformatic tools to predict which variations can give rise to biological effects among 2450 HTR2C SNPs. RESULTS: We suggest 48 SNPs that are worth considering in future association studies in the field of psychiatry, psychology and pharmacogenomics. Moreover, our analyses point out the biological level probably affected, such as transcription, splicing, miRNA regulation and protein structure, thus allowing to suggest future molecular investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Although few association studies are available in literature, their results are in agreement with our predictions, showing that our selection methods can help to guide future association studies.

Insights into the Antioxidant Mechanism of Newly Synthesized Benzoxazinic Nitrones: In Vitro and In Silico Studies with DPPH Model Radical.

Synthetic nitrone spin-traps are being explored as therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide range of oxidative stress-related pathologies, including but not limited to stroke, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, increasing efforts are currently being made to the design and synthesis of new nitrone-based compounds with enhanced efficacy. The most researched nitrones are surely the ones related to α-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) derivatives, which have shown to possess potent biological activity in many experimental animal models. However, more recently, nitrones with a benzoxazinic structure (3-aryl-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-N-oxides) have been demonstrated to have superior antioxidant activity compared to PBN. In this study, two new benzoxazinic nitrones bearing an electron-withdrawing methoxycarbonyl group on the benzo moiety (in para and meta positions respect to the nitronyl function) were synthesized. Their in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by two cellular-based assays (inhibition of AAPH-induced human erythrocyte hemolysis and cell death in human retinal pigmented epithelium (ARPE-19) cells) and a chemical approach by means of the α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, using both electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and UV spectrophotometry. A computational approach was also used to investigate their potential primary mechanism of antioxidant action, as well as to rationalize the effect of functionalization on the nitrones reactivity toward DPPH, chosen as model radical in this study. Further insights were also gathered by exploring the nitrone electrochemical properties via cyclic voltammetry and by studying their kinetic behavior by means of EPR spectroscopy. Results showed that the introduction of an electron-withdrawing group in the phenyl moiety in the para position significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of benzoxazinic nitrones both in cell and cell-free systems. From the mechanistic point of view, the calculated results closely matched the experimental findings, strongly suggesting that the H-atom transfer (HAT) is likely to be the primary mechanism in the DPPH quenching.

Protection of Polyphenols against Glyco-Oxidative Stress: Involvement of Glyoxalase Pathway.

Chronic high glucose (HG) exposure increases methylglyoxal (MGO)-derived advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and is involved in the onset of pathological conditions, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and chronic-degenerative diseases. Under physiologic conditions the harmful effects of MGO are contrasted by glyoxalase system that is implicated in the detoxification of Reactive Carbonyl Species (RCS) and maintain the homeostasis of the redox environment of the cell. Polyphenols are the most abundant antioxidants in the diet and present various health benefits. Aims of the study were to investigate the effects of HG-chronic exposure on glyco-oxidation and glyoxalase system in intestinal cells, using CaCo-2 cells. Moreover, we studied the effect of apple polyphenols on glyco-oxidative stress. Our data demonstrated that HG-treatment triggers glyco-oxidation stress with a significant increase in intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, AGEs, and increase of Glyoxalase I (GlxI) activity. On the contrary, Glyoxalase II (GlxII) activity was lower in HG-treated cells. We demonstrate that apple polyphenols exert a protective effect against oxidative stress and dicarbonyl stress. The increase of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione (GSH) levels in HG-treated cells in the presence of apple polyphenols was associated with a decrease of GlxI activity.

Interplay among Oxidative Stress, Methylglyoxal Pathway and S-Glutathionylation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced constantly inside the cells as a consequence of nutrient catabolism. The balance between ROS production and elimination allows to maintain cell redox homeostasis and biological functions, avoiding the occurrence of oxidative distress causing irreversible oxidative damages. A fundamental player in this fine balance is reduced glutathione (GSH), required for the scavenging of ROS as well as of the reactive 2-oxoaldehydes methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO is a cytotoxic compound formed constitutively as byproduct of nutrient catabolism, and in particular of glycolysis, detoxified in a GSH-dependent manner by the glyoxalase pathway consisting in glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II reactions. A physiological increase in ROS production (oxidative eustress, OxeS) is promptly signaled by the decrease of cellular GSH/GSSG ratio which can induce the reversible S-glutathionylation of key proteins aimed at restoring the redox balance. An increase in MGO level also occurs under oxidative stress (OxS) conditions probably due to several events among which the decrease in GSH level and/or the bottleneck of glycolysis caused by the reversible S-glutathionylation and inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. In the present review, it is shown how MGO can play a role as a stress signaling molecule in response to OxeS, contributing to the coordination of cell metabolism with gene expression by the glycation of specific proteins. Moreover, it is highlighted how the products of MGO metabolism, S-D-lactoylglutathione (SLG) and D-lactate, which can be taken up and metabolized by mitochondria, could play important roles in cell response to OxS, contributing to cytosol-mitochondria crosstalk, cytosolic and mitochondrial GSH pools, energy production, and the restoration of the GSH/GSSG ratio. The role for SLG and glyoxalase II in the regulation of protein function through S-glutathionylation under OxS conditions is also discussed. Overall, the data reported here stress the need for further studies aimed at understanding what role the evolutionary-conserved MGO formation and metabolism can play in cell signaling and response to OxS conditions, the aberration of which may importantly contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases associated to elevated OxS.

Dicarbonyl Stress and S-Glutathionylation in Cerebrovascular Diseases: A Focus on Cerebral Cavernous Malformations.

Dicarbonyl stress is a dysfunctional state consisting in the abnormal accumulation of reactive α-oxaldehydes leading to increased protein modification. In cells, post-translational changes can also occur through S-glutathionylation, a highly conserved oxidative post-translational modification consisting of the formation of a mixed disulfide between glutathione and a protein cysteine residue. This review recapitulates the main findings supporting a role for dicarbonyl stress and S-glutathionylation in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular diseases, with specific emphasis on cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), a vascular disease of proven genetic origin that may give rise to various clinical signs and symptoms at any age, including recurrent headaches, seizures, focal neurological deficits, and intracerebral hemorrhage. A possible interplay between dicarbonyl stress and S-glutathionylation in CCM is also discussed.

Cystic Fibrosis Defective Response to Infection Involves Autophagy and Lipid Metabolism.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease, with 70% of patients developing a proteinopathy related to the deletion of phenylalanine 508. CF is associated with multiple organ dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and recurrent lung infections. CF is characterized by defective autophagy, lipid metabolism, and immune response. Intracellular lipid accumulation favors microbial infection, and autophagy deficiency impairs internalized pathogen clearance. Myriocin, an inhibitor of sphingolipid synthesis, significantly reduces inflammation, promotes microbial clearance in the lungs, and induces autophagy and lipid oxidation. RNA-seq was performed in Aspergillusfumigatus-infected and myriocin-treated CF patients' derived monocytes and in a CF bronchial epithelial cell line. Fungal clearance was also evaluated in CF monocytes. Myriocin enhanced CF patients' monocytes killing of A. fumigatus. CF patients' monocytes and cell line responded to infection with a profound transcriptional change; myriocin regulates genes that are involved in inflammation, autophagy, lipid storage, and metabolism, including histones and heat shock proteins whose activity is related to the response to infection. We conclude that the regulation of sphingolipid synthesis induces a metabolism drift by promoting autophagy and lipid consumption. This process is driven by a transcriptional program that corrects part of the differences between CF and control samples, therefore ameliorating the infection response and pathogen clearance in the CF cell line and in CF peripheral blood monocytes.

Monoalkylated Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (C18-EGCG) as Novel Lipophilic EGCG Derivative: Characterization and Antioxidant Evaluation.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has the highest antioxidant activity compared to the others catechins of green tea. However, the beneficial effects are mainly limited by its poor membrane permeability. A derivatization strategy to increase the EGCG interaction with lipid membranes is considered as one feasible approach to expand its application in lipophilic media, in particular the cellular absorption. At this purpose the hydrophilic EGCG was modified by inserting an aliphatic C18 chain linked to the gallate ring by an ethereal bond, the structure determined by NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and confirmed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the mono-alkylated EGCG (C18-EGCG) was studied by the DPPH and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) assays, and its ability to protect cells towards oxidative stress was evaluated in Adult Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (ARPE-19) cells. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation and liposomal/buffer partition were used to study the interaction of the modified and unmodified antioxidants with a cell membrane model: the combined experimental-in silico approach shed light on the higher affinity of C18-EGCG toward lipid bilayer. Although the DPPH assay stated that the functionalization decreases the EGCG activity against free radicals, from cellular experiments it resulted that the lipid moiety increases the antioxidant protection of the new lipophilic derivative.