On the behaviour of aqueous solutions of deep eutectic solvents at lipid biomembranes

The cytotoxicity of deep eutectic solvents is studied at molecular level using molecular dynamics simulations with a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine lipid bilayer as a model of cell membranes and its interaction with eleven choline chloride - based deep eutectic solvents considering different hydrogen bond donors that allows to cover a wide spectrum of molecular variations. The possible insertion of molecules forming the deep eutectic solvent in the lipid bilayer and the changes in bilayer properties upon interaction with DESs are analysed as a function of the molecular structure of the considered hydrogen bond donors. The results confirm the pivotal role of the used hydrogen bond donor for deep eutectic solvents development on the interaction and insertion in the lipid bilayer, and thus on the deep eutectic solvent cytotoxicity. Likewise, molecular dynamics studies on deep eutectic solvents - lipid bilayers are a suitable tool for in silico screening and design of deep eutectic solvents with suitable environmental and toxicity profiles. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.