The Biosurfactant β-Aescin: A Review on the Physico-Chemical Properties and Its Interaction with Lipid Model Membranes and Langmuir Monolayers

This review discusses recent progress in physicochemical understanding of the action of the saponin [Formula: see text]-aescin (also called [Formula: see text]-escin), the biologically active component in the seeds of the horse chestnut tree Aesculus hippocastanum. [Formula: see text]-Aescin is used in pharmacological and cosmetic applications showing strong surface activity. In this review, we outline the most important findings describing the behavior of [Formula: see text]-aescin in solution (e.g., critical micelle concentration ([Formula: see text]) and micelle shape) and special physicochemical properties of adsorbed [Formula: see text]-aescin monolayers at the air–water and oil–water interface. Such monolayers were found to posses very special viscoelastic properties. The presentation of the experimental findings is complemented by discussing recent molecular dynamics simulations. These simulations do not only quantify the predominant interactions in adsorbed monolayers but also highlight the different behavior of neutral and ionized [Formula: see text]-aescin molecules. The review concludes on the interaction of [Formula: see text]-aescin with phospholipid model membranes in the form of bilayers and Langmuir monolayers. The interaction of [Formula: see text]-aescin with lipid bilayers was found to strongly depend on its [Formula: see text]. At concentrations below the [Formula: see text] , membrane parameters are modified whereas above the [Formula: see text] , complete solubilization of the bilayers occurs, depending on lipid phase state and concentration. In the presence of gel-phase phospholipids, discoidal bicelles form; these are tunable in size by composition. The phase behavior of [Formula: see text]-aescin with lipid membranes can also be modified by addition of other molecules such as cholesterol or drug molecules. The lipid phase state also determines the penetration rate of [Formula: see text]-aescin molecules into lipid monolayers. The strongest interaction was always found in the presence of gel-phase phospholipid molecules.