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Concentration-Dependent Effects of Curcumin on Membrane Permeability and Structure
Jamie Gudyka1, Jasmin Ceja-Vega1, Katherine Ivanchenko1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Iona University, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York 10801, United States.
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science
|May 16, 2024
Summary
Curcumin affects cell membrane water permeability in a concentration-dependent manner. It reduces permeability at low doses but increases it at high doses, with cholesterol altering this effect.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Membrane Biology
Background:
- Bioactive molecules can alter membrane properties and protein function.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate curcumin's effect on model membrane water permeability.
- Elucidate the concentration-dependent mechanisms of curcumin-membrane interactions.
- Examine the influence of cholesterol on these interactions.
Main Methods:
- Droplet interface bilayer (DIB) model membranes composed of DOPC and DOPC/cholesterol.
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for phase transition analysis.
- Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-FTIR for structural property assessment.
Main Results:
- Curcumin exhibited a biphasic effect on water permeability in pure DOPC membranes: reduction at low concentrations (<2 mol%) and increase at high concentrations.
- In the presence of cholesterol, curcumin consistently reduced water permeability.
- DSC and ATR-FTIR data supported a concentration-dependent molecular mechanism involving lipid-water interface binding or acyl chain penetration.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin's impact on membrane water permeability is concentration-dependent and influenced by cholesterol.
- Low curcumin concentrations hinder water transport by binding to the lipid headgroup.
- High curcumin concentrations disrupt acyl chain packing, potentially causing phase separation.
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