Penetration of lipid monolayers by psychoactive drugs

Abstract

The ability of a number of psychoactive drugs to penetrate lipid monolayers of varying composition was examined, and the following observation were made: (1) The increase in surface pressure of a monomolecular film appeared to depend on the chemical nature of the lipid as well as on the initial film pressure. (2) Several psychoactive compounds showed a significant interaction with anionic lipid films at initial surface pressure above 18 dynes/cm. (3) The results support the view that coulombic attractions between cationic drugs and negatively changed lipids are involved. (4) Significant differences in the magnitude of the effect of different drugs on films of gangliosides are demonstrated.