In vitro cytotoxicity of chemical preservatives on human fibroblast cells

Abstract

Preservatives are widely used substances that are commonly added to various cosmetic and pharmaceutical products to prevent or inhibit microbial growth. In this study, we compared the in vitro cytotoxicity of different types of currently used preservatives, including methylparaben, imidazolidinyl urea (IMU), and sodium benzoate, using the human newborn fibroblast cell line CCD1072Sk. Of the tested preservatives, only IMU induced a reduction in cell viability, as shown using the MTT assay and propidium iodide staining (IMU>methylparaben>sodium benzoate). IMU was shown to promote homeostatic alterations potentially related to the initiation of programed cell death, such as decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3 activation, in the treated cells. Methylparaben and sodium benzoate were shown to have a very low cytotoxic activity. Taken together, our results suggest that IMU induces programed cell death in human fibroblasts by a canonical intrinsic pathway via mitochondrial perturbation and subsequent release of proapoptotic factors.

Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization of Novel Dicyclopropyl-Thiazole Compounds as Nontoxic and Promising Antifungals

“…Among in vitro assays, cytotoxicity tests are simple, reproducible, inexpensive to perform, and suitable for evaluation of basic biologic properties [41]. These studies also provide a significant amount of information can be conducted under controlled conditions and may elucidate the mechanisms of cellular toxicity [41,54,55]. Several methods are available for cytotoxicity testing and among them, the MTT-based colorimetric assay is a standard method.…”

Controlling Systemic Inflammation by Careful Formulation of Topical Skin Care Products: Our Bodies Didn’t Evolve With All the Current Chemicals in Skin Care Products

“…Instead of the proinflammatory cytokines from bone marrow stem cells, the use of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts provides a proresolving, anti-inflammatory set of cytokines and other molecules for use in skin care therapeutics . Seven, most cosmetic products will need preservative systems unless they are an anhydrous formulation, with those systems often being cytotoxic and irritating, potentially damaging the cells, including fibroblasts in the skin (Spindola et al, 2018). While preservatives are necessary for non-anhydrous formulations that are not packaged in sterile, single use containers, care must be used in the choice of the preservative to be used.…”

Prospective of Monascus Pigments as an Additive to Commercial Sunscreens

“…In the case of cosmetic products, considering the specific route of topical application, the in vitro cytotoxicity testing on skin cell lines (in particular keratinocytes and fibroblasts) can be used for primary toxicological evaluation of new ingredients such as surfactants, colorants, preservatives, and additives. 2,[23][24][25] In this study, the human keratinocyte (HaCaT cell line) was used for evaluation of the Monascus pigments skin toxicity by using in vitro MTT assay. The results of the cytotoxicity of Monascus pigments against normal human keratinocytes were shown in Table 2 which indicated that Monascus pigments are nontoxic toward the normal skin cell in the in vitro study.…”