Screening and quantification of undeclared PGF2α analogs in eyelash-enhancing cosmetic serums using LC-MS/MS

Mohammad Sofiqur Rahman; Naoko Yoshida; Miho Hanafusa; Ayaka Matsuo; Shu Zhu; Yukiko Stub; Chisato Takahashi; Hirohito Tsuboi; Ryo Matsushita; Keiko Maekawa; Kazuko Kimura

doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114940

Screening and quantification of undeclared PGF_2α analogs in eyelash-enhancing cosmetic serums using LC-MS/MS

J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2022 Sep 20:219:114940. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114940. Epub 2022 Jul 14.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Medi-Quality Security Institute (MQS), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan. Electronic address: rahmansofique@staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.
² AI Hospital/Macro Signal Dynamics Research and Development Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan; Medicine Security Workshop, Venture Business Laboratory 4F, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.
³ Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan.
⁴ Medi-Quality Security Institute (MQS), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.
⁵ Department of Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.
⁶ Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Healthcare Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.
⁷ Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan. Electronic address: kmaekawa@dwc.doshisha.ac.jp.
⁸ Medi-Quality Security Institute (MQS), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan; Medicine Security Workshop, Venture Business Laboratory 4F, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.

PMID: 35882176
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114940

Abstract

In recent years, cosmetics deemed equivalent to pharmaceutical products containing prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) analogs have been distributed overseas in the form of eyelash serums that can be purchased via the internet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence or absence of PGF_2α analogs in eyelash serums procured in Japan via the internet to elucidate the actual composition. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) measurement system was developed for the determination of 14 PGF_2α analogs in cosmetic serums. In total, 64 eyelash serum samples were purchased from 34 websites. After pretreatment, eyelash serum samples were screened for PGF_2α analogs using the LC-MS/MS system. Products containing PGF_2α analogs were subjected to quantification of these compounds. Of the 64 products, four were found to contain bimatoprost, among which, three did not indicate their contents on their package labels. In contrast, no samples were found to contain latanoprost, travoprost, or tafluprost, which are prescribed for glaucoma treatment. Additionally, eight products contained other PGF_2α analogs, which have not been used as pharmaceuticals. The ease of access to cosmetic serums containing PGF_2α analogs via online purchases presents a risk of serious side effects, particularly when consumers are not informed of their contents on the packages. This issue requires serious consideration to avoid the incorporation of pharmaceutical substances into cosmetic products.

Keywords: Analogs; Analysis; Bimatoprost; Eyelash serum; LC-MS/MS; Prostaglandin.

MeSH terms

Antihypertensive Agents
Bimatoprost
Chromatography, Liquid
Cosmetics*
Prostaglandins F / adverse effects
Tandem Mass Spectrometry* / methods
Travoprost

Substances

Antihypertensive Agents
Cosmetics
Prostaglandins F
Bimatoprost
Travoprost