Study of the interaction of nitrofurantoin in cellular membrane models through Langmuir films

Abstract

In this project, we intend to study the action of nitrofurantoin with Langmuir films of phospholipids, which serve as simple models of cell membranes. The phospholipids to be used will be dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DPPE), co-mixed with the drug. The interaction of nitrofurantoin with the phospholipid monolayers will be evaluated by means of pressure and surface potential measurements, Brewster angle microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and surface rheology. The results will be evaluated from the perspective of possible biological implications, inferred from the effects caused by the drug on the artificial membranes.