Involvement of Type-I and Type-II Photodynamic Reactions in Photosensitization of Fragrance Ingredient 2-acetonaphthone.

2-Acetonaphthone (2-ACN) is a synthetic fragrance material used in various cosmetics as an adulterant. Due to its frequent use, we have conducted an in-depth study to understand the photosensitizing potential of 2-ACN. Results of this study illustrate that 2-ACN showed photodegradation in 4 h under ambient UV radiation (UVR) and sunlight exposure. It generated (1-25 µg mL-1 ) superoxide anion radical (O2 ·- ) and singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) in the presence of UVR/sunlight through in chemico and in vitro test systems. 2-ACN (10 µg mL-1 ) showed a 43.9% and 57.4% reduction in cell viability under UVA and sunlight, respectively. Photosensitized 2-ACN generated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) (6-folds in UVA and 8-folds in sunlight), which compromises the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membrane potential leading to cell death. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining and annexin-V/PI uptake showed cell death caused via 2-ACN under UVR exposure. The above findings signify the role of ROS via Type-I and Type-II photodynamic pathways in photosensitization of 2-ACN that ultimately promotes photodamage of important cellular organelles leading to cell death. The study advocates that solar radiation should be avoided by the users after the application of cosmetic products containing 2-ACN.

UVR-induced phototoxicity mechanism of methyl N-methylanthranilate in human keratinocyte cell line.

Fragrances are used in almost every cosmetic product. International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the regulatory body that controls the use of fragrances in cosmetic products. Methyl-N-methylanthranilate (DMA) is a naturally derived fragrance, commonly used in cosmetic products such as fine perfumes, skin care products, etc. But there is a lack of detailed study in terms of its phototoxic and photogenotoxicity mechanisms under UVA/sunlight exposure. In this study, we have shown that DMA photodegrades in 4 h under UVA (1.5 mW/cm2) and sunlight. DMA (0.0001%-0.0025%) significantly reduced the cell viability as demonstrated by NRU and MTT assays in a dose-dependent manner under UVA (5.4 J/cm2) and sunlight (1 h) exposure in the HaCaT cell line. It generated excessive intracellular ROS (superoxide anion radical via type-I photodynamic reaction), resulting in lysosomal destabilization and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Photo-activated DMA caused DNA fragmentation as observed by olive tail moment. DNA double-strand breaks was demonstrated by phosphorylation of H2AX-histone protein and formation of photo-micronuclei in skin keratinocytes. Additionally, photo-activated DMA upregulated the oxidative stress marker gene hemeoxygenase-1 and apoptotic marker genes (cytochrome-C, caspase-3, caspase-9). Activated caspase-cascade pathway established that photo-activated DMA can potentially trigger apoptosis in the human skin cells.

Nabumetone induced photogenotoxicity mechanism mediated by ROS generation under environmental UV radiation in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cell line.

Nabumetone (NB) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), prescribed for managing pain associated with acute/chronic rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. Though some incidences of photosensitivity have been reported, there is limited information available on its phototoxicity potential. In this study, NB photodegraded in a time-dependant manner (0-4 h) under UVA (1.5 mW/cm2), UVB (0.6 mW/cm2) and natural sunlight as observed through UV-vis spectrophotometer and the results were further confirmed with Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC). Photosensitized NB generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) as observed by lipid peroxidation, suggesting oxidative degradation of lipids in cell membrane, thereby resulting in cell damage. MTT and NRU (neutral red uptake) assays revealed that NB induced phototoxicity in concentration-dependent manner (0.5, 1, 5, 10 µg/ml) under UVA, UVB and sunlight exposure (30 min) in human keratinocytes cell line (HaCaT), with significant phototoxicity at the concentration of 5 µg/ml. Photosensitized NB generated intracellular ROS, disrupted mitochondrial and lysosomal membrane integrity, resulting in cell death. UV-induced genotoxicity by NB was confirmed through micronuclei generation, γ-H2AX induction and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation. This is the first study which showed the phototoxicity and photogenotoxicity potential of NB in HaCaT cell line. We also observed that photosensitized NB upregulated inflammatory markers, such as COX-2 and TNFα. This study proposes that sunlight exposure should be avoided by patients using nabumetone and proper guidance should be provided by clinicians regarding photosensitivity of drugs for better safety and efficacy.

Under ambient UVA exposure, pefloxacin exhibits both immunomodulatory and genotoxic effects via multiple mechanisms.

Pefloxacin (PFLX) is an antibiotic, which shows broad spectrum antimicrobial activities. It is an important derivative of fluoroquinolones (FLQs) group. Ultraviolet radiation (200-400nm) causes major problem for living being which comes at the earth surface naturally through sunlight and increasing regularly due to ozone depletion. PFLX was photodegraded in 5h and forms photoproduct under UVA exposure. At the non photocytotoxic dose PFLX, shows reduced phagocytosis activity, NO (nitric oxide) production, large vacuole formation and down regulated IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1 in BALB/c macrophages at both genes and proteins levels. At higher doses (photocytotoxic doses), PFLX induced a concentration dependent decrease in cell viability of human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice. Our molecular docking suggests that PFLX binds only to the cleaved DNA in the DNA-human TOP2A complex. Topoisomerase assay confirmed that PFLX inhibits human topoisomerase by forming an adduct with DNA. Photosensitized PFLX also caused intracellular ROS mediated DNA damage and formation of micronuclei and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Increase intracellular ROS leads to apoptosis which was proved through lysosomal destabilization and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Our present study shows that ambient UVA exposure in the presence of PFLX caused immunomodulatory as well as photogenotoxic effects. Therefore, patients under PFLX drug treatment should avoid sunlight exposure, especially during peak hours for their photosafety.