Impact of nicotine-free and nicotine-rich flavored electronic cigarette refill liquids on primary human melanocyte function.

ABSTRACT: In this study, five popular EC liquid flavors-strawberry, banana, vanilla, tobacco, and menthol-were examined on human melanocyte functions. Each flavored e-liquid (in 80/20 PG/VG vehicle) was tested without or with 18 mg/mL nicotine. The effects of PG/VG and nicotine-containing vehicles were also evaluated. Results revealed that nicotine-free and nicotine-containing e-liquids had comparable cytotoxicity, with menthol> > banana> tobacco> vanilla> strawberry. This cytotoxicity was unrelated to either nicotine or the vehicle. PG/VG (1 and 2 %) increased melanin production without influencing cellular tyrosinase activity. The flavored e-liquids did not further affect melanin production, suggesting that the vehicle's effect, not the flavor, was responsible for the increased melanin production.

SUBMITTER: Goenka S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11821416 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature