Differential scanning calorimetry in drug-membrane interactions.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a central technique in investigating drug - membrane interactions, a critical component of pharmaceutical research. DSC measures the heat difference between a sample of interest and a reference as a function of temperature or time, contributing essential knowledge on the thermally induced phase changes in lipid membranes and how these changes are affected by incorporating pharmacological substances. The manuscript discusses the use of phospholipid bilayers, which can form structures like unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles, providing a simplified yet representative membrane model to investigate the complex dynamics of how drugs interact with and penetrate cellular barriers. The manuscript consolidates data from various studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug - membrane interactions, the determinants that influence these interactions, and the crucial role of DSC in elucidating these components. It further explores the interactions of specific classes of drugs with phospholipid membranes, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticancer agents, natural products with antioxidant properties, and Alzheimer's disease therapeutics. The manuscript underscores the critical importance of DSC in this field and the need for continued research to improve our understanding of these interactions, acting as a valuable resource for researchers.

In vitro evaluation of the protective effect of crocin on human erythrocytes.

The interactions and the protective effect of the carotenoid crocin (CRO) on human erythrocytes (RBC) and molecular models of its membrane were investigated. The latter consisted of bilayers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the RBC membrane, respectively. X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electronic paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) showed that CRO produced structural perturbations in DMPC bilayers and in isolated unsealed human erythrocyte membranes. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that CRO induced shape changes in the RBC from their normal discoid form to echinocytes. This result indicates that the CRO molecules were mainly localized in the outer monolayer of the RBC membrane. The assessment of the protective capacity of CRO was revealed by the carotenoid inhibition of the morphological alterations caused by hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to RBC.

Toxic effects of the anticancer drug epirubicin in vitro assayed in human erythrocytes.

Epirubicin is a cytotoxic drug used in the treatment of different types of cancer and increasing evidence suggests that its target is cell membranes. In order to gain insight on its toxic effects, intact red blood cells (RBC), human erythrocyte membranes and molecular models were used. The latter consisted in bilayers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), phospholipid classes found mainly in the outer and inner monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane, respectively. The results obtained by X-ray diffraction displayed that epirubicin induced structural perturbations in multilayers of DMPC. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that epirubicin disturbed the thermotropic behavior of both DMPC and DMPE vesicles, whereas fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated alterations in the fluidity of DMPC vesicles and the erythrocyte membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that epirubicin changed the normal discoid form of RBC to echinocytes and stomatocytes. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) disclosed that this drug induced conformational changes in the erythrocyte membrane proteins. These findings demonstrate that epirubicin interacts with lipids and proteins of the human erythrocyte membrane, effects that might compromise the integrity and function of cell membranes. This is the first time that its toxic effects on the human erythrocyte membrane have been described.

An in vitro study of the protective effect of caffeic acid on human erythrocytes.

The interaction and protective effect of caffeic acid (CA) on human erythrocytes (RBC) and molecular models of its membrane were studied. The latter consisted of bilayers built up of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane, respectively. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that CA induced structural and thermotropic perturbations in multilayers and vesicles of DMPC. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis showed that CA increased the fluidity of DMPC vesicles and of human erythrocyte ghosts. Scanning electron microscopy observations displayed that CA induced morphological alterations to RBC from their normal discoid form to echinocytes. The assessment of its protective capacity showed that CA inhibits RBC morphological alterations and lysis induced by HClO. These findings imply that CA molecules were located in the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane, and that this preferential location might effectively protect the red cells from damage caused by oxidizing species.

In vitro effects of the antitumor drug miltefosine on human erythrocytes and molecular models of its membrane.

This study was aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of the antitumor alkylphospholipid drug miltefosine with human erythrocytes (RBC) and molecular models of its membrane. The latter consisted of bilayers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane, respectively. X-ray results showed that the drug interacted with DMPC multilayers; however, no effects on DMPE were detected. The experimental findings obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that miltefosine altered the thermotropic behavior of both DMPC and DMPE vesicles. Fluorescence spectroscopy evidenced an increase in the fluidity of DMPC vesicles and human erythrocyte membranes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations on human erythrocytes showed that miltefosine induced morphological alterations to RBC from its normal biconcave to an echinocyte type of shape. These results confirm that miltefosine interacts with the outer moiety of the human erythrocyte membrane affecting the cell morphology.

Protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate on human erythrocytes.

The interactions and the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on human erythrocytes (RBC) and molecular models of its membrane were investigated. The latter consisted of bilayers built- up of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane, respectively. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that EGCG induced significant structural and thermotropic perturbations in multilayers and vesicles of DMPC; however, these effects were not observed in DMPE. Fluorescence spectroscopy results revealed that EGCG produced alterations of the molecular dynamics at the level of the hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface in DMPC vesicles, and in isolated unsealed human erythrocyte membranes (IUM). EGCG also induced morphological alterations in RBC from their normal discoid form to echinocytes. These outcomes indicate that EGCG molecules were located in the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane. The assessment of EGCG protective effect demonstrated that it inhibits the morphological alterations and lysis induced by HClO to human erythrocytes. The results obtained from this study suggest that the insertion of EGCG into the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane might prevent the access and deleterious effects of oxidant molecules such as HClO and free radicals into the red cells, protecting them from oxidative damage.