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. 2012 Mar 7;17(2):289–308. doi: 10.2478/s11658-012-0010-y

Interaction of selected anthocyanins with erythrocytes and liposome membranes

Dorota Bonarska-Kujawa 1,✉, Hanna Pruchnik 1, Halina Kleszczyńska 1
PMCID: PMC6275648  PMID: 22396139

Abstract

Anthocyanins are one of the main flavonoid groups. They are responsible for, e.g., the color of plants and have antioxidant features and a wide spectrum of medical activity. The subject of the study was the following compounds that belong to the anthocyanins and which can be found, e.g., in strawberries and chokeberries: callistephin chloride (pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside chloride) and ideain chloride (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside chloride). The aim of the study was to determine the compounds’ antioxidant activity towards the erythrocyte membrane and changes incurred by the tested anthocyanins in the lipid phase of the erythrocyte membrane, in liposomes composed of erythrocyte lipids and in DPPC, DPPC/cholesterol and egg lecithin liposomes. In particular, we studied the effect of the two selected anthocyanins on red blood cell morphology, on packing order in the lipid hydrophilic phase, on fluidity of the hydrophobic phase, as well as on the temperature of phase transition in DPPC and DPPC/cholesterol liposomes. Fluorimetry with the Laurdan and Prodan probes indicated increased packing density in the hydrophilic phase of the membrane in the presence of anthocyanins. Using the fluorescence probes DPH and TMA-DPH, no effect was noted inside the hydrophobic phase of the membrane, as the lipid bilayer fluidity was not modified. The compounds slightly lowered the phase transition temperature of phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The study has shown that both anthocyanins are incorporated into the outer region of the erythrocyte membrane, affecting its shape and lipid packing order, which is reflected in the increasing number of echinocytes. The investigation proved that the compounds penetrate only the outer part of the external lipid layer of liposomes composed of erythrocyte lipids, DPPC, DPPC/cholesterol and egg lecithin lipids, changing its packing order. Fluorimetry studies with DPH-PA proved that the tested anthocyanins are very effective antioxidants. The antioxidant activity of the compounds was comparable with the activity of Trolox®.

Key words: Anthocyanins, Fluorescent probes, Liposomes, Erythrocyte membrane, Echinocytes, DSC, Anisotropy, Generalized polarization, Phase transition

Full Text

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Abbreviations used

AAPH

2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride

DPH

1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene

DPH-PA

(1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrienyl) propionic acid

DPPC

1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine

DSC

differential scanning calorimetry

egg-PC

L-α-phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk

GP

generalized polarization

Laurdan

6-dodecanoyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene

Prodan

6-propionyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene

TMA-DPH

1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene p-toluenesulfonate

Footnotes

Paper authored by participant of the international conference: 18th Meeting, European Association for Red Cell Research, Wrocław — Piechowice, Poland, May 12–15th, 2011. Publication cost was covered by the organizers of this meeting.

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