Many drugs can bind to the lipid membranes and potentially modulate its physical properties. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used medications for their capability in reducing pain, fever, and inflammation. A deeper understanding of the effect of commonly consumed NSAIDs on biophysical properties of lipid membranes extends our knowledge of molecular interactions of these drugs with biological systems. In this study, we investigated how various NSAIDs interacts with bilayers made of various lipid compositions, including the presence of varying concentrations of cholesterol, at physiological temperature. The methods employed in this study include water permeability determination across a droplet interface bilayer, a model cell membrane, as well confocal Raman spectroscopic studies to monitor changes in relative Raman scattering peak intensities. Our results suggest that specific NSAIDs influences the water permeability and structural integrity of the lipid bilayer in a unique way, and the nature and extent of modification depend on the concentration of NSAIDs, and lipid composition. Our findings provide evidence for direct interactions of NSAIDs with the model cell membrane and its structure, which potentially affect the function of proteins embedded in it.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and the lipid bilayer

2019 Fall National Meeting

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