Effects of monocyclic compounds on biomembranes

Monocyclic compounds with an aliphatic chain containing at least 2 carbon atoms, interact with biomembranes producing solubilization of proteins. Plasma membrane seems to be more sensitive than mitochondrial-lysosomal membrane to the damaging effects of these compounds. Studies on the structure-activity relationship have shown that benzene derivatives were more active than other compounds having either a etherocyclic or a saturated hexacarbon ring. Among tert.-butylbenzene derivatives, 2,tert.-butyl,4 methoxyphenol (BHA) and 3,5,di-tert.-butyl, 4, hydroxytoluene (BHT) exerted the most remarkable effects. It is suggested that the electronic density on the aromatic nucleus plays an important role on the interaction of monocyclic compounds with membrane constituents.