title: Inhibition by biscoclaurine alkaloid of lipid peroxidation in biological membranes.
abstract: Biscoclaurine-type alkaloids were examined for ability to act as membrane-stabilizing agents and to protect against lipid peroxidation and deterioration of biological membrane. The following results were obtained. Biscoclaurine-type alkaloids inhibit Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation of biological membrane. Cepharanthine protects against decrease in membrane compartmentation due to Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation. Peroxidation of membrane lipid causes decrease in membrane fluidity but cepharanthine protects against this decrease. These protective actions are structure specific. They are also biscoclaurine-type specific and do not apply to coclaurine-type alkaloids such as papaverine. Based on these findings, the biological action of the alkaloid is discussed relative to membrane-stabilizing action and protective action against leukopenia induced by X-ray irradiation or mitomycin treatment in cancer therapy.
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D002451:Cell Compartmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008081:Liposomes; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D010545:Peroxides; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D052117:Benzodioxoles
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D008081:Liposomes; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010545:Peroxides; D011188:Potassium; C006947:cepharanthine; D052117:Benzodioxoles