The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols

• Published in: International journal of cosmetic science 2011-10, Vol.33 (5), p.421-425
• Main Authors: Lee, E., An, S., Cho, S.-A., Yun, Y., Han, J., Hwang, Y. K., Kim, H. K., Lee, T. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1,2‐alkanediols; 2-alkanediols; Adult; Alkanes - chemistry; Alkanes - toxicity; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - toxicity; anti-microbial activity; Antibacterial agents; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antifungal agents; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; Irritants - chemistry; Irritants - toxicity; Male; Medical sciences; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; percutaneous absorption; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; sensory skin irritation; Skin - drug effects; skin irritation potential; Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton
• ISSN: 0142-5463; 1468-2494
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00646.x

Synopsis Several studies have reported that 1,2‐alkanediols show increasing anti‐microbial activity as their alkane chain length increases. However, there are no reports on the influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2‐alkanediols. To investigate the influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2‐alkanediols. The objective and subjective (sensory) skin irritation potentials of five 1,2‐alkanediols – 1,2‐butanediol, 1,2‐pentanediol, 1,2‐hexanediol, 1,2‐octanediol and 1,2‐decanediol – were evaluated. We also estimated percutaneous absorption by measuring in vitro skin penetration using a Franz diffusion cell system. Like anti‐microbial activity, sensory irritation potential increased as alkane chain length increased, most likely due to increasing membrane interference and/or intrinsic toxicity of 1,2‐alkanediols. 1,2‐Hexanediol showed the lowest objective skin irritation potential, which increased when the alkane chain length decreased or increased. Furthermore, percutaneous absorption negatively correlated with the alkane chain length of 1,2‐alkanediols. These results show that a lower skin absorption potential is not indicative of a low skin irritation potential. Our results suggest that the factors and processes involved in skin irritation potential are complex and that skin irritation potential is influenced by intrinsic toxicity and the potential for penetration or integration in the lipid bilayer. Résumé Plusieurs études ont montré que l’activité antimicrobienne des 1,2‐alcane diols augmentait avec la longueur de la chaine alcane. Cependant, il n’y a aucune étude concernant l’influence de la longueur de la chaine alcane enchaînent sur le potentiel d’irritation cutanée des 1,2‐alcane diols. Examiner l’influence de la longueur des chaines alcanes sur le potentiel d’irritation des 1,2‐alcane diols. Les potentiels d’irritation objectifs et subjectifs de cinq 1,2‐alcane diols‐1,2‐butane diol, 1,2‐pentane diol, 1,2‐hexane diol, 1,2‐octane diol et 1,2‐decane diol ont étéévalué. Nous en avons aussi estimé l’absorption percutanée en utilisant un système in vitro de cellule de diffusion de Franz. Comme l’activité antimicrobienne, le potentiel d’irritation sensoriel a augmenté comme avec la longueur de chaine, très probablement en raison des interactions membranaires croissantes et/ou de la toxicité intrinsèque des 1,2‐alcane diols. Le 1,2‐Hexane diol a montré le potentiel irritant cutané le plus faible, qu