Identification of alkylsalicylic acids in Lentisk oil (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and viability assay on Human Normal Dermal Fibroblasts

Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin. Its fruit oil is used in traditional medicine to treat burns, skin impairments as well as inflammatory diseases as soothing massage or internal use. An increased interest is spotted lately with several commercial brands are spun portraying the benefits of this oil but with no stringent regulations to ascertain its safe use as an edible or cosmeceutical product. This work concerned the investigation of secondary metabolites presents in Pistacia lentiscus fruits oil using both GC-MS and HPLC-DAD-MS technics, and the evaluation of cytotoxicity on human normal dermal fibroblasts to assess safety of use as cosmetic ingredient. This study stands as the first one to report the identification of alkylsalicylic acids in fruits oil and unsaponifiable fraction of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil which calls for therefore, quantification of alkylsalicylic acids, known as skin irritants, in Pistacia lentiscus oil, used as nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals by manufacturers.

Automated summary

Pistacia lentiscus L. is commonly found in the Mediterranean basin, and its fruit oil has been used in traditional medicine and promoted by commercial brands. This study evaluated the safety of using Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil as a cosmetic ingredient and identified the presence of alkylsalicylic acids, which call for further quantification for potential skin irritants.