Abstract
The interaction of eighteen phenol derivatives such as cresols, eugenols, phenols etc. with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes was investigated by the application of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), to clarify their activity in the biological system at the membrane level. Exogenous phenol partition into DPPC liposomes caused changes in the phase transition properties of the liposomes which were characterized by both a shift of the phase transition temperature (T) to a lower temperature and a decrease in the enthalpy (ΔH). T and ΔH were dependent on either the concentration or the hydrophobicity (π). When the concentrations or π increased, the T decreased linearly. A parabolic curve in the alkylphenols was exhibited.The maximum change in the T and ΔH was obtained when π was approx. 1. Of the alkylphenols having a π of approx. 1 ethylphenols showed the largest changes in the T and ΔH, and eugenols showed smaller changes. Changes in the T and ΔH were governed by the interaction between phenol derivatives and acyl chains of liposomes.
