title: Dielectric properties of the plasma membrane of cultured murine fibroblasts treated with a nonterpenoid extract of Azadirachta indica seeds.
abstract: Neem oil is a natural product obtained from the seeds of the tree Azadirachta indica. In this report, we investigate the alterations of the biophysical properties of the plasma membrane caused by treatment with the nonterpenoid fraction of neem oil that we defined as methanolic extract (MEX). The dose-response effect was evaluated and a MEX-dependent cytoxicity evidenced. The effect of MEX on the plasma membrane was studied by a well-established dielectric spectroscopy technique: electrorotation, which allows single-cell analysis. Our results show a structural/functional alteration of the plasma membrane with an evident increase of specific capacitance and conductance. The biological implications of this effect are discussed.
authors: CNISM-Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma La Sapienza, piazzale A. Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Adalberto
authors: A
authors: Bonincontro
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Di Ilio
authors: Osvaldo
authors: O
authors: Pedata
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Risuleo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005989:Glycerides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005989:Glycerides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013729:Terpenes; C002443:neem oil; D000432:Methanol