Vitex agnus-castus L.: Essential oil increases human erythrocyte membrane fluidity

Journal of Medical Biochemistry

Šošić-Jurjević Branka¹  Pantelić Jasmina¹  Filipović Branko¹  Ajdžanović Vladimir¹  Milošević Verica¹  Severs Walter²  Spasojević Ivan³ 

[1] Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković', Belgrade;Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA;Life Systems Department, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Belgrade;

关键词: erythrocytes;    membrane fluidity;    vac essentialoil;    epr;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Erythrocyte membrane fluidity is related to their rheologic behavior, the dynamic quality of erythrocytes, which is tempted in hypertension and atherosclerosis. An increased risk of these and other cardiovascular diseases occurs in ageing women. Menopause-related conditions are often treated with hormone replacement therapy that may increase the risk of malignancies. Vitex agnus-castus L. essential oil contains various organic compounds (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and terpenoids), and is increasingly used as an alternative therapy for menopausal symptoms. These components of the oil may be incorporated into cell membranes, thereby changing the membrane fluidity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Vitex agnuscastus essential oil on human erythrocyte membrane fluidity at graded depths. We used Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy and fatty acid spin probes (5-doxyl stearic acid and 12-doxyl stearic acid), whose spectra depend on membrane fluidity. After treatment with Vitex agnus-castus essential oil the erythrocytes had a significant (p=0.029) and reversible increase in membrane fluidity in the deeper hydrophobic membrane regions, with no change (p>0.05) in fluidity near the membrane's hydrophilic surface. These results document increased fluidity of the human erythrocyte membrane by Vitex agnus-castus essential oil, and this action may be useful in patients with menopause-related hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.

【 授权许可】

Unknown