Pharmacokinetics and the Dermal Absorption of Bromochlorophene, a Cosmetic Preservative Ingredient, in Rats.

The cosmetic industry has flourished in recent years. Accordingly, the safety of cosmetic ingredients is increasing. Bromochlorophene (BCP) is a commonly used cosmetic preservative. To evaluate the effects of BCP exposure, in vitro dermal absorption and in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were conducted using gel and cream formulations. The Franz diffusion cell system and rat dorsal skin were used for tests according to the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety guidelines for in vitro skin absorption methods. After the dermal application (1.13 mg/cm2) of BCP in the gel and cream formulations, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to evaluate the amount of BCP that remained unabsorbed on the skin (WASH), and that was present in the receptor fluid (RF), stratum corneum (SC), and (epi)dermis (SKIN). The total dermal absorption rate of BCP was 7.42 ± 0.74% for the gel formulation and 1.5 ± 0.9% for the cream formulation. Total recovery in an in vitro dermal absorption study was 109.12 ± 8.79% and 105.43 ± 11.07% for the gel and cream formulations, respectively. In vivo PK and dermal absorption studies of BCP were performed following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 417 and 427, respectively. When intravenous (i.v.) pharmacokinetics was performed, BCP was dissolved in glycerol formal and injected into the tail vein (n = 3) of the rats at doses of 1 and 0.2 mg/kg. Dermal PK parameters were estimated by the application of the gel and cream formulations (2.34 mg/kg of BCP as an active ingredient) to the dorsal skin of the rats. Intravenous and dermal PK parameters were analyzed using a non-compartmental method. The dermal bioavailability of BCP was determined as 12.20 ± 2.63% and 4.65 ± 0.60% for the gel and cream formulations, respectively. The representative dermal absorption of BCP was evaluated to be 12.20 ± 2.63% based on the results of the in vivo PK study.

Anti­wrinkle effect of fermented black ginseng on human fibroblasts.

Fermented black ginseng (FBG) is processed by the repeated steaming and drying of fresh ginseng followed by fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is known to possess anti­oxidative effects. Skin wrinkle formation is associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to determine whether FBG possesses anti­wrinkle activity using human fibroblasts (HS68). According to the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) guidelines for the evaluation of the efficacy of functional anti­wrinkle cosmetics, we attempted to elucidate the effects of FBG on type I procollagen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)­1, MMP­2, MMP­9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase­2 (TIMP­2). In addition, the eye irritation potential of FBG was examined using the EpiOcular­EIT kit. Our results revealed that FBG was not cytotoxic at concentrations <10 µg/ml. It was considered as safe for the eyes at concentrations of up to 100 µg/ml. Treatment with FBG at concentrations from 0.3 to 10 µg/ml significantly (P<0.05) increased the type I procollagen expression levels from 117.61±1.51 to 129.95±4.47% in the human fibroblasts. By contrast, FBG significantly (P<0.05) decreased the MMP­1 expression level from 18.41±4.95 to 27.41±3.96%. FBG at 3 µg/ml also increased the expression of TIMP­2 up to 154.55%. However, FBG at 10 µg/ml decreased the expression levels of MMP­2 and MMP­9 to 45.15 and 66.65%, respectively. These results suggest that FBG has potential anti­wrinkle effects as a potential ingredient in cosmetics.