Flavonoid‐membrane Interactions: A Protective Role of Flavonoids at the Membrane Surface?

Abstract

Flavonoids can exert beneficial health effects through multiple mechanisms. In this paper, we address the important, although not fully understood, capacity of flavonoids to interact with cell membranes. The interactions of polyphenols with bilayers include: (a) the partition of the more non-polar compounds in the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, and (b) the formation of hydrogen bonds between the polar head groups of lipids and the more hydrophilic flavonoids at the membrane interface. The consequences of these interactions are discussed. The induction of changes in membrane physical properties can affect the rates of membrane lipid and protein oxidation. The partition of certain flavonoids in the hydrophobic core can result in a chain breaking antioxidant activity. We suggest that interactions of polyphenols at the surface of bilayers through hydrogen bonding, can act to reduce the access of deleterious molecules (i.e. oxidants), thus protecting the structure and function of membranes.

Flavonoid intake and disability-adjusted life years due to Alzheimer’s and related dementias: a population-based study involving twenty-three developed countries

“…These properties, in combination with others such as bioavailability, redox cycling with other antioxidants, and metabolic activation, may contribute to potential neuroprotection. Differences between flavonols and other flavonoids/dietary factors in terms of synergism of antioxidant properties with other physiological activities -modulation of signal transduction, apoptosis, proteolysis, metabolic enzyme activity, membrane integrity, interaction with amyloidogenic proteins, and others (4,5,(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54) -may also be important in this context.…”

Quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate effects on the cell membranes biophysical properties correlate with their antioxidant potential

“…For example, the location of the polyphenolic structure at the membrane level may result in changes that allow them to sterically hinder the diffusion of free radicals, therefore the interaction with cell membranes might be a decisive factor for their antioxidant activity (Arora et al 2000;Barros et al 2001;Oteiza et al 2005;Sánchez-Gallego et al 2010).…”

Mentha pulegium crude extracts induce thiol oxidation and potentiate hemolysis when associated to t-butyl hydroperoxide in human’s erythrocytes

“…On the other hand, it cannot be excluded that incorporation of phenolic compounds contained in extracts can also positively influence the red blood cells , Wloch et al 2016. Of note, differences in the chemical structure of phenolic are critical to determine the type of interactions that occurs between these compounds and membrane surface (Oteiza et al 2005, Hendrich 2006, Duchnowicz et al 2012.…”