Lipophilicity of flavonoid complexes with iron(II) and their interaction with liposomes

We studied complex formation of flavonoids quercetin and taxifolin with iron(II) and the complex influence on phase transitions of phospholipid bilayer. UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed that the stoichiometry of flavonoid/iron complexes was equal to 3:2 and 2:1. Molecular modeling and experimental measurements demonstrated the increase of flavonoids lipophilicity after the complex formation. A considerable influence of quercetin–iron complex on Palmitoyl–Oleoyl–Phosphatidylethanolamine transitions from bilayer to hexagonal HII phase was detected by differential scanning calorimetry. The obtained data are related to flavonoid/iron complexes bioavailability, their influence on cell membrane functioning, and should be considered in designing liposomal vehicles for drug and gene delivery.

► We studied lipophilicity of flavonoid/iron complexes with different stoichiometry.
► The lipophilicity increases for complexes with flavonoid/iron equal to 2:1 or 3:2.
► The lipophilic complexes influence phase transitions of phospholipids.