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Dielectric Properties of the Plasma Membrane of Cultured Murine Fibroblasts Treated with a Nonterpenoid Extract of Azadirachta indica Seeds

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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.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Prof. Jan Gimsa for having introduced us to the powerful electrorotation technique and for helping us to develop this research on our premises.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNISM-Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, p.le A. Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy

    Adalberto Bonincontro & Gianfranco Risuleo

  2. SOFT-INFM-CNR Research Center, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, p.le A. Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy

    Adalberto Bonincontro & Gianfranco Risuleo

  3. Dipartimento di Genetica e Biologia Molecolare, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, p.le A. Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy

    Vincenzo Di Ilio, Osvaldo Pedata & Gianfranco Risuleo

Authors
  1. Adalberto Bonincontro
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  2. Vincenzo Di Ilio
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  3. Osvaldo Pedata
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  4. Gianfranco Risuleo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gianfranco Risuleo.

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Bonincontro, A., Ilio, V.D., Pedata, O. et al. Dielectric Properties of the Plasma Membrane of Cultured Murine Fibroblasts Treated with a Nonterpenoid Extract of Azadirachta indica Seeds. J Membrane Biol 215, 75–79 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-007-9007-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-007-9007-2

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