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Non-aqueous, zwitterionic solvent as an alternative for dimethyl sulfoxide in the life sciences.

Kosuke KurodaTetsuo KomoriKojiro IshibashiTakuya UtoIsao KobayashiRiki KadokawaYui KatoKazuaki NinomiyaKenji TakahashiEishu Hirata
Published in: Communications chemistry (2020)
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is widely used as a solvent in the life sciences, however, it is somewhat toxic and affects cell behaviours in a range of ways. Here, we propose a zwitterionic liquid (ZIL), a zwitterion-type ionic liquid containing histidine-like module, as a new alternative to DMSO. ZIL is not cell permeable, less toxic to cells and tissues, and has great potential as a vehicle for various hydrophobic drugs. Notably, ZIL can serve as a solvent for stock solutions of platinating agents, whose anticancer effects are completely abolished by dissolution in DMSO. Furthermore, ZIL possesses suitable affinity to the plasma membrane and acts as a cryoprotectant. Our results suggest that ZIL is a potent, multifunctional and biocompatible solvent that compensates for many shortcomings of DMSO.
Keyphrases
  • ionic liquid
  • room temperature
  • single cell
  • cell therapy
  • induced apoptosis
  • stem cells
  • mesenchymal stem cells
  • cell proliferation
  • climate change
  • signaling pathway
  • drug induced
  • aqueous solution