Cysteamine hydrochloride affects ocular development and triggers associated inflammation in zebrafish

The increasing use of cosmetics has raised widespread concerns regarding their ingredients. Cysteamine hydrochloride (CSH) is a newly identified allergenic component in cosmetics, and therefore its potential toxicity needs further elucidation. Here, we investigated the in vivo toxicity of CSH during ocular development utilizing a zebrafish model. CSH exposure was linked to smaller eyes, increased vasculature of the fundus and decreased vessel diameter in zebrafish larvae. Moreover, CSH exposure accelerated the process of vascular sprouting and enhanced the proliferation of ocular vascular endothelial cells. Diminished behavior in response to visual stimuli and ocular structural damage in zebrafish larvae after CSH treatment were confirmed by analysis of the photo-visual motor response and pathological examination, respectively. Through transcriptional assays, transgenic fluorescence photography and molecular docking analysis, we determined that CSH inhibited Notch receptor transcription, leading to an aberrant proliferation of ocular vascular endothelial cells mediated by Vegf signaling activation. This process disrupted ocular homeostasis, and induced an inflammatory response with neutrophil accumulation, in addition to the generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species, which in turn promoted the occurrence of apoptotic cells in the eye and ultimately impaired ocular structure and visual function during zebrafish development.

Development of clinoptilolite zeolite-coated magnetic nanocomposite-based solid phase microextraction method for the determination of Rhodamine B in cosmetic products

Green synthesis of clinoptilolite zeolite/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite (MZNC) was carried out using Laurus Nobilis L. leaf extract. Characterization of this MZNC was performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. According to the VSM analysis results, the saturation magnetization of 23 emu/g and coercivity of 23.5 Oe indicate that the synthesized magnetic nanocomposite is superparamagnetic. A new ultrasonic assisted clinoptilolite zeolite-coated magnetic nanocomposite-based solid phase microextraction (MZNC-SPME) method combined with high performance liquid chromatography was developed for the extraction and determination of Rhodamine B. The preconcentration factor for the MZNC-SPME method was found to be 40 under optimal conditions. Under optimal conditions, the linear range, correlation coefficient (R²), limit of detection (LOD), and intra- and interday relative standard deviation (RSD) were found to be 1.00-100.00 ng mL^-1, 0.9995, 0.16 ng mL^-1, 1.89% and 2.49%, respectively. The developed method was successfully performed to determine Rhodamine B in 6 different cosmetic samples. 6 ions and 5 different dyes were added to the sample solution to show the selectivity of the method. The obtained results show that the determination of Rhodamine B is possible in the presence of these ions and dyes. In order to determine the accuracy of the MZNC-SPME method, two different concentrations of Rhodamine B concentration in cosmetic samples were added as 10 and 50 ng mL^-1. Extraction recoveries were found in the range of 92.03-101.52% and these results are quite satisfactory. It is seen that the developed method for the extraction and determination of Rhodamine B from cosmetic samples is applicable due to the easy synthesis of the sorbent and the short, simple, environmentally friendly and low cost of the method.

Improved Therapeutic Profiles of PLA2-Free Bee Venom Prepared by Ultrafiltration Method

Bee venom (BV) has long been used in traditional Eastern and Western medicine for chronic inflammation, pain and skin therapy. Human exposure to BV, however, often causes unwanted adverse effects and is even fatal in some cases. Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) of BV is now suspected to play a key role in these adverse effects. We investigated the potential use of PLA₂-free bee venom (PBV) as a replacement for BV in cosmetic products. PBV prepared by molecular weight cut-off ultrafiltration exhibits a superior profile in comparison with regular BV, by inhibiting elastase activity and suppressing the induction of nitric oxide (NO) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), while retaining the effects of cell proliferation and protection against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage in human dermal fibroblast cells. PBV thus appears to be more promising than BV as a cosmetic ingredient with a reduced potential for adverse reactions in the recipient.