Assessment of the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of homosalate in MCF‐7

Abstract

Sunscreens (UV filters) can be found in cosmetics and in other personal care products, but also in food packaging materials, pharmaceuticals, plastics, textiles, and vehicle maintenance products to prevent the photodegradation of polymers and pigments. Organic UV filters are often used together with inorganic filters to increase the overall efficacy. 1,2 HMS (3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylsalicylate; Figure 1) is an organic UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation at wavelengths from 290 to 320 nm, that can be found in many cosmetics. 3 The presence of alkyl-substituted cyclohexane ring in UV filters can considerably alter the lipophilicity of the whole molecule which might possibly have a significant effect on metabolism. 4 Studies have shown that HMS passes by systemic circulation after topical application of a gel formulation in rats. 3 Hence, HMS has been shown to cause hormonal dysfunction when absorbed in in vivo and in vitro studies. 5-7 HMS accumulates in aquatic biota and humans through the food chain 1,8 ; therefore, it is important to consider the effects on health and know its mechanisms of action.

Insights into the photoprotection mechanism of the UV filter homosalate

“…29 However, in the MCF-7 cell line, HMS was shown to have cytotoxic and genotoxic characteristics, and extensive studies on the toxicological effects of HMS are recommended. 30 In this study, femtosecond (fs, 10 À15 s) pump-probe spectroscopy techniques in both the gas-phase and in solution have been used to elucidate the excited state photodynamics of HMS upon absorption of UVB radiation. By using ultrafast spectroscopy, a deeper insight into the specific relaxation mechanism(s) of salicylates upon exposure to solar radiation can be gained, which in turn can be beneficial to determine whether molecules of this type dissipate their incident UV radiation safely, i.e.…”

Homosalate boosts the release of tumour‐derived extracellular vesicles with protection against anchorage‐loss property

“…Since Homosalate and Bafilomycin A1 induce the release of EVs derived from different subcellular compartments, we wondered whether Homosalate‐ and Bafilomycin A1‐induced EVs could display different functional properties. Homosalate increases in vitro migratory and invasive properties of several breast cancer cell lines when administered at low concentrations (≥100 nM) during several weeks (Alamer & Darbre, 2018) and is highly toxic at certain concentrations for luminal breast cancer MCF7 cells (Yazar & Kara Ertekin, 2020). Based on this knowledge, we wondered whether the EVs generated by MDA‐MB‐231 cells upon Homosalate treatment induced functional consequences when applied to recipient tumour cells.…”

Homosalate boosts the release of tumor-derived Extracellular Vesicles with anti-anoikis properties

“…4D), we wondered whether Homosalate-or Bafilomycin A1induced EVs could display different functional properties. Homosalate has been shown to increase in vitro migratory and invasive properties of several breast cancer cell lines when administered at low concentrations (≥100nM) during several weeks [32] and to be highly toxic at certain concentrations for luminal breast cancer MCF7 cells [33]. Based on this knowledge, we wondered whether the EVs generated by MDA-MB-231 cells upon Homosalate treatment induced functional consequences when applied to recipient tumor cells.…”