The protective effect of Artepillin C against lipid oxidation on model membranes

Brazilian green propolis is a well-known therapeutic product, commonly used in folk medicine. Artepillin C is the major compound of Brazilian green propolis and has received considerable attention owing to its lipophilic affinity and antioxidant activity, enabling the use against lipid oxidation caused by free radicals, which is a first step before degenerative diseases. The protective effect of Artepillin C against lipid oxidation was evaluated here on models of lipid membranes based on Langmuir monolayers and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) formed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine DOPC under oxidative stress induced by the photoactivated erythrosin. Our findings show that the lipophilic character of Artepillin C allows the donation of a hydrogen atom of the phenolic hydroxyl group to the lipid radical of both mono and bilayer, avoiding the formation of truncated aldehyde lipids, interrupting oxidative reactions mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), therefore playing a role as an antioxidant compound in the lipid environment. The affinity of Artepillin C for lipid structures, together with its antioxidant potential, preclude the lipid peroxidation caused by reactive species.