Membrane-active properties and antiradical activity of gossypol and its derivatives

A novel asymmetric gossypol derivative was synthesized. The antioxidant activity of gossypol and certain of its derivatives at the aldehyde groups and the interaction of these compounds with model membranes were studied. It was shown that the antiradical and membrane activities of the gossypol derivatives were determined by the structure of the substituent and that gossypol and its derivatives were partially localized in the lipid bilayer and possibly induced formation of a new interdigitating phase.