Mode of molecular interaction of triterpenoid saponin ginsenoside Rh2 with membrane lipids in liquid-disordered phases

Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is a ginseng saponin comprising a triterpene core and one unit of glucose and has attracted much attention due to its diverse biological activities. In the present study, we used small-angle X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR, fluorescence microscopy, and MD simulations to investigate the molecular interaction of Rh2 with membrane lipids in the liquid-disordered (Ld) phase mainly composed of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine compared with those in liquid-ordered (Lo) phase mainly composed of sphingomyelin and cholesterol. The electron density profiles determined by X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that Rh2 tends to be present in the shallow interior of the bilayer in the Ld phase, while Rh2 accumulation was significantly smaller in the Lo phase. Order parameters at intermediate depths in the bilayer leaflet obtained from ²H NMR spectra and MD simulations indicated that Rh2 reduces the order of the acyl chains of lipids in the Ld phase. The dihydroxy group and glucose moiety at both ends of the hydrophobic triterpene core of Rh2 cause tilting of the molecular axis relative to the membrane normal, which may enhance membrane permeability by loosening the packing of lipid acyl chains. These features of Rh2 are distinct from steroidal saponins such as digitonin and dioscin, which exert strong membrane-disrupting activity.