Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid stabilize liposomal membranes
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Updated: Nov 1, 2026

Preparation, Purification, and Use of Fatty Acid-containing Liposomes
Published on: February 9, 2018
1College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Republic of Korea. Hansk@hyowon.pusan.ac.kr
Abstract:
The effects of oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) on the fluidity and stability of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomal membrane were monitored by measuring the fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene labeled in the liposomal membrane and the leakage of calcein from the probe-encapsulated liposomes. The experiments with the liposomes made of DPPC and OA or UA showed that OA and UA exhibited a moderate fluidity-modulating effect for the liquid-crystalline liposomal membrane, and a strong condensing effect for both crystalline and liquid-crystalline liposomal membranes. Their effects were comparable to those of cholesterol. These results suggest that their fluidity-modulating and condensing effects might have some implications in their biological functions.
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