Structural effects of the Solanum steroids solasodine, diosgenin and solanine on human erythrocytes and molecular models of eukaryotic membranes

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta 2014-01, Vol.1838 (1), p.266-277
• Main Authors: Manrique-Moreno, Marcela, Londoño-Londoño, Julián, Jemioła-Rzemińska, Małgorzata, Strzałka, Kazimierz, Villena, Fernando, Avello, Marcia, Suwalsky, Mario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine - chemistry; Diosgenin; Diosgenin - chemistry; Diosgenin - pharmacology; Drug–membrane interactions; Erythrocyte membrane; Erythrocyte Membrane - chemistry; Erythrocyte Membrane - drug effects; Fluorescent Dyes - chemistry; Humans; Lipid bilayer; Lipid Bilayers - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Phase Transition - drug effects; Phosphatidylethanolamines - chemistry; Phosphatidylserines - chemistry; Pyrimidinones - chemistry; Scattering, Small Angle; Solanaceous Alkaloids - chemistry; Solanaceous Alkaloids - pharmacology; Solanine; Solanine - chemistry; Solanine - pharmacology; Solasodine; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0005-2736; 0006-3002; 1879-2642
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.08.003

This report presents evidence that the following Solanum steroids: solasodine, diosgenin and solanine interact with human erythrocytes and molecular models of their membranes as follows: a) X-ray diffraction studies showed that the compounds at low molar ratios (0.1–10.0mol%) induced increasing structural perturbation to dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers and to a considerable lower extent to those of dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine; b) differential scanning calorimetry data showed that the compounds were able to alter the cooperativity of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine and dimyristoylphosphatidylserine phase transitions in a concentration-dependent manner; c) in the presence of steroids, the fluorescence of Merocyanine 540 incorporated to the membranes decreased suggesting a fluidization of the lipid system; d) scanning electron microscopy observations showed that all steroids altered the normal shape of human erythrocytes inducing mainly echinocytosis, characterized by the formation of blebs in their surfaces, an indication that their molecules are located into the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane. [Display omitted] •Interactions of three natural occurring steroids with cell membranes were assessed.•It was found that the steroids interacted with human erythrocytes membranes.•Steroids interacted with phospholipid classes present in erythrocyte membranes.•Results indicate that steroids induced fluidization of the lipid systems.•Differences were observed between assayed steroids and lipid bilayer interactions.