Assessing estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activity of antimicrobial compounds used in oral care products
Abstract
The potential triclosan for hormone disruption triggered its removal from personal care product lines (e.g. mouthwashes, toothpastes). There is a strong demand for finding new effective and safe substitutes to be used in oral care hygiene and other consumer products, including cosmetics.
Even though the in vitro efficacy of new/renewed antiseptics are well-documented, much less is known about their adverse health effect on humans or environmental impact. Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic potential of 10 selected antimicrobial compounds commonly used in oral care hygiene was assessed.
Both human T47D breast carcinoma cell line using altered secretion of cytokine CXCL12 and functional yeast-luciferase reporter gene assay were employed to confirm receptor-binding activities. None of the tested compounds exhibited estrogenic activity.
However, two antiseptics possessing quaternary ammonium moiety (octenidine and cetylpiridin) and one monoterpene derivative (thymol) revealed anti-estrogenic effects and inhibited the estrogen response in concentration-dependent manner for both, the T47D cell line and yeast assay. An inhibition effect expressed as IC50 increased as follows, thymol < cetylpiridinium < octenidine.
The results highlight the endocrine disrupting effects of antiseptic compounds commonly used in personal care products and provide better insight into the health and environmental risk evaluation. Further evaluation and monitoring of these compounds in the environment should be considered.