Evaluating cytotoxicity of methyl benzoate in vitro

Abstract

Methyl benzoate (MB) is a small, hydrophobic organic compound that is isolated from the freshwater fern, Salvinia molesta. Because of its pleasant odor, it has been used as a fragrance and flavor enhancer. In addition, it is used to attract orchid bees for pollination in the farm and has been tested for its potential to be developed as a green pesticide targeting a diverse group of insects. In spite of its wide applications, the safety of MB to humans remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested the cytotoxicity of MB against cultured human cells, including kidney, colon, and neuronal cells. Furthermore, other natural and synthetic benzoic acids such as ethyl benzoate (EB) and vinyl benzoate (VB) were compared with MB for their similarity and broad commercial and industrial applications. We found that MB and VB have the least and most overall toxicity to the tested human cells, respectively. In addition, the expression of some genes involved in cell cycle, protein quality control, and neurotransmission such as cyclin D1, HSP70, and ACHE genes was differentially expressed in the presence of these chemicals, most noticeably in treatment of VB. Our study provided the LC 50 values of these benzoic acids for human cells in vitro and suggested their mild toxicity that should be considered in the industrial and agricultural applications to be within safe limits.

Arsenic hexoxide has differential effects on cell proliferation and genome-wide gene expression in human primary mammary epithelial and MCF7 cells

“…Strikingly, AS6 altered the transcription of a large number of genes in MCF7 cells whereas much fewer genes were RNA-seq. Cell culture and RNA preparation were performed as described in 32 . HUMEC and MCF7 cells were grown to 60-70% confluence in 6-well plates and the media were exchanged with the fresh complete media including AS6 at final concentration of 0.5 µM or H 2 O only as an untreated control.…”

In Vitro Evaluation of Lignin-Containing Nanocellulose

“…Recently a number of studies have reported gene regulation by small environmental chemicals, both natural and synthetic [ 23 , 24 , 32 , 33 ]. In a previous study, vinyl benzoate, a synthetic, hydrophobic compound with a notable cytotoxicity (LC 50 = 0.08% in HEK293), showed a marked reduction in HSP70 expression in both RNA and protein levels [ 24 ]. HSP70 is a chaperon protein, which is critical for responses to various stresses in the cell, including heat, osmatic, chemical, and physical stresses.…”

“…Lignin was precipitated by acidifying with sulfuric acid from the organosolv black liquor. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of L-MFC, we performed a water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST) assay using human kidney and lung cell lines, HEK293 and H460, respectively [ 23 , 24 ]. The cytotoxicity of L-MFC was compared to those of lignin and cellulose, and the susceptibility and LC 50 values of L-MFC for the cells were monitored and measured.…”

Arsenic hexoxide has differential effects on cell proliferation and genome-wide gene expression in human primary mammary epithelial and MCF7 cells

“…Cell culture and RNA preparation were performed as described in [32]. HUMEC and MCF7 cells were grown to 60-70% confluence in 6-well plates and the media were exchanged with the fresh complete media including AS6 at final concentration of 0.5 µM or H 2 O only as an untreated control.…”