Interaction of prazosin with model membranes — A Langmuir monolayer study

In this study, the effect of prazosin on the molecular interactions between cholesterol and 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) within a monolayer at an air–water interface was studied. A mixed cholesterol/DPPC monolayer was employed as a model lipid membrane.From a detailed analysis of surface pressure–area isotherms, it was concluded that DPPC and cholesterol were miscible and formed non-ideal monolayers on prazosin solution. The thermodynamic stability of the mixed monolayers was investigated by analyzing the free energy of mixing. It was found that the mixed monolayers were more stable than the single component monolayers. Monolayers spread over a subphase with prazosin were more compressible than those spread on pure water. To quantify the effect of prazosin on the monolayer stability, the Gibbs free energy due to the presence of prazosin in the water subphase was calculated. It was found that prazosin penetrated and destabilized mixed cholesterol/DPPC monolayers. However, a comparison of the drug penetration into the pure DPPC monolayer and the mixed cholesterol/DPPC monolayer showed that the presence of cholesterol in the DPPC monolayer considerably restricted the drug penetration.

► Mixed cholesterol/DPPC monolayer was employed as a model lipid membrane.
► Prazosin penetration into the mixed cholesterol/DPPC monolayers was studied.
► Prazosin reduces attractive interactions between DPPC and cholesterol.
► Cholesterol condenses monolayer and reduces the extent of prazosin penetration