Antipollution skin protection – a new paradigm and its demonstration on two active compounds

Figures & data

Table 1 Preparation of test materials in different concentrations

DSW	PS
–	5% (w/w)
0.25% (w/w)	–
0.5% (w/w)	–
0.8% (w/w)	–
0.25% (w/w)	5% (w/w)
0.5% (w/w)	5% (w/w)
0.8% (w/w)	5% (w/w)

Abbreviations: DSW, Dead Sea mineral-rich water; PS, PolluStop.

Table 2 Heavy metals composition

Element	Mass fraction (ppm)
As	115.5 ± 3.9
Cd	73.7 ± 2.3
Co	17.93 ± 0.68
Cr	402 ± 13
Ni	81.1 ± 6.8
Pb	0.655 ± 0.033
Sr	215 ± 17
Sb	45.4 ± 1.4

Figure 1 Epidermal viability following an MOP exposure to DSW and PS treatments.

Notes: A total of 30 μL of the sample has been applied on the epidermis with 100 μL of MOP or PBS (non-MOP exposed) and maintained for 48 hours on the epidermis. Every day, the epidermis units were washed with PBS and the samples were applied again. At the end of the exposure period (48 hours), the MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cell survival. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation.*Values that are significantly different from the untreated tissues (p < 0.05).
Abbreviations: MOP, mixture of pollutants; DSW, Dead Sea mineral-rich water; PS, PolluStop; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; NC, negative control.

Figure 2 IL-1α levels following MOP exposure to DSW and PS treatments.

Notes: A total of 30 μL of the sample has been applied on the epidermis with 100 μL of MOP or PBS (non-MOP exposed) and maintained for 48 hours on the epidermis. Every day, the epidermis units were washed with PBS and the samples were applied again. At the end of the exposure period (48 hours), the culture medium was collected for IL-1α determination using ELISA assay. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. *Values that are significantly different from the untreated tissues (p < 0.05).
Abbreviations: IL-1α, interleukin 1α; MOP, mixture of pollutants; DSW, Dead Sea mineral-rich water; PS, PolluStop; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; NC, negative control.

Figure 3 Epidermal viability following ozone exposure to DSW and PS treatments.

Notes: Epidermis equivalents were treated topically with test materials. Following overnight incubation, they were exposed to 20 ppm ozone for 1 hour and test materials were reapplied. After 24 hours incubation, tissue viability was tested using the MTT assay. Viability is expressed as a percentage of the non-ozone exposed (non-inflamed) controls, which are used to represent 100% viability. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. *Values that are significantly different from the untreated tissues (p < 0.05).
Abbreviations: DSW, Dead Sea mineral-rich water; PS, PolluStop; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; NC, negative control; PC, positive control.

Figure 4 IL-1α levels following ozone exposure to DSW and PS treatments.

Notes: Epidermis equivalents were treated topically with test materials. Following overnight incubation, they were exposed to 20 ppm ozone for 1 hour and test materials were reapplied. After 24 hours of incubation, the medium was collected for IL-1α analysis. IL-1α values are expressed as concentrations. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. *Values that are significantly different from the untreated tissues (p < 0.05).
Abbreviations: IL-1α, interleukin 1α; DSW, Dead Sea mineral-rich water; PS, PolluStop; NC, negative control; PC, positive control.

Figure 5 PGE2 levels following ozone exposure to DSW and PS treatments.

Notes: Epidermis equivalents were treated topically with test materials. Following overnight incubation, they were exposed to 20 ppm ozone for 1 hour and test materials were reapplied. After 24 hours of incubation, the medium was collected for PGE2 analysis. PGE2 values are expressed as concentrations. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. *Values that are significantly different from the untreated tissues (p < 0.05).
Abbreviations: PGE2, prostaglandin E₂; DSW, Dead Sea mineral-rich water; PS, PolluStop; NC, negative control; PC, positive control.