Work

Skin Cell Phototoxicity and Photoprotection Study of Agro-Derived Lignin and Nanocellulose

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Lignin, a significant industrial byproduct from paper manufacturing processes, exhibits ultraviolet (UV) radiation absorption properties. Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) demonstrate universal ligand characteristics and represent an innovative approach for converting industrial waste into value-added products. Given their potential applications in cosmetic formulations, efficacy and safety parameters, such as photoprotection mechanisms and phototoxicity, need to be investigated. Therefore, two kraft lignin fractions, LE and R1, along with a kraft bleached-pulp CNF, were evaluated for their phototoxicity and photoprotection mechanisms, both using HaCaT cell line (immortalized human keratinocytes) as in vitro model. Phototoxicity assessment involved exposing cells to UVA radiation (4 J/cm2), with subsequent comparison of cell viability between irradiated and non-irradiated samples. ROS quantification was performed using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) probe, with fluorescence intensity measurements, and was used to evaluate photoprotection effect. Results demonstrated that both LE and R1 exhibited concentration-dependent increases in phototoxicity, whereas CNF showed no phototoxic effects under the conditions tested. For photoprotection, LE, R1, and CNF reduced UV-induced ROS production, which can be associated with their antioxidant properties in the case of lignin fractions. These findings suggest that both lignin fractions and CNF hold promises for use in renewable and sustainable cosmetic formulations.

Source: Cosmetics

DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics12020061