Tobacco components induce alterations in keratinocyte lipid membrane fluidity and inhibit cell proliferation in culture.

Guinea pig epidermal keratinocytes were harvested and grown in vitro (20). The cells were treated with polyphenolic compounds, acetate/shikimate aromatics, that are ubiquitous in plants. In addition, the cells were exposed to tobacco glycoprotein (TGP), a plant-derived substance prepared from cured tobacco (19). All of the polyphenolic compounds enhanced the attachment of cells to a defined substratum and inhibited cell proliferation. Tobacco glycoprotein (TGP), rutin conjugates and ellagic acid inhibited cell spreading and enhanced the apparent microviscosity of keratinocyte membrane lipids. These data suggest that the use of these compounds may be associated with alterations in cytoskeletal architecture and membrane fluid dynamics that might result in clinical alterations characterized by whitening of mucosae.