Abstract
Studying the interactions between lipid membranes and various bioactive molecules (e.g., polyphenols) is important for determining the effects they can have on the functionality of lipid bilayers. This knowledge allows us to use the chosen compounds as potential inhibitors of bacterial and cancer cells, for elimination of viruses, or simply for keeping our healthy cells in good condition. As studying those effect can be exceedingly difficult on living cells, model lipid membranes, such as liposomes, can be used instead. Liposomal bilayer systems represent the most basic platform for studying those interactions, as they are simple, quite easy to prepare and relatively stable. They are especially useful for investigating the effects of bioactive compounds on the structure and kinetics of simple lipid membranes. In this review, we have described the most basic methods available for preparation of liposomes, as well as the essential techniques for studying the effects of bioactive compounds on those liposomes. Additionally, we have provided details for an easy laboratory implementation of some of the described methods, which should prove useful especially to those relatively new on this research field.
Highlights
Liposomes are small spherical particles composed mainly from different kind of lipids, which are organised in the form of one or more lipid bilayers
This knowledge allows us to use the chosen compounds as potential inhibitors of bacterial and cancer cells, for elimination of viruses, or for keeping our healthy cells in good condition. As studying those effect can be exceedingly difficult on living cells, model lipid membranes, such as liposomes, can be used instead
As the liposomes are fairly simple to produce, relatively stable and much less delicate to handle than the human cell lines, for example, they can be a very useful tool for determining the basic interactions of bioactive compounds or extracts with the lipid bilayers
Summary
Liposomes are small spherical particles composed mainly from different kind of lipids, which are organised in the form of one or more lipid bilayers. One of the most widely used bioactive compounds are plant polyphenols, since they are numerous and quite easy to obtain, even with as simple procedure as ethanol extraction. They are one of the most widely distributed and complex groups of compounds in the plant kingdom, with >8000 phenolic structures currently known. Polyphenols are an integral part of the human diet, and they have gained more and more attention because of their potential beneficial effects on human health [2] To understand their full potential, extensive investigations into their interactions with lipid membranes, among other things, have to be carried out. This guide summarizes the theory and practice of the given methods, as well as gives the details for the implementation of some of the mentioned ones
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