Xenobiotics In Vitro: The Influence of L-Cystine, Pantothenate, and Miliacin on Metabolic and Proliferative Capacity of Keratinocytes

The study investigated the effects of L-cystine, D-pantothenat, and miliacin on human epidermal keratinocytes. In deficient medium, keratinocytes showed a 35% reduction in metabolic capacity and no measurable proliferation. L-cystine restored metabolic capacity up to 92%, D-pantothenat increased it to 150% in fully supplemented medium, and miliacin enhanced both metabolic capacity (162%) and cell proliferation (215%). The combination of all three additives synergistically increased metabolic capacity to 245%. These findings suggested that these substances, particularly in combination, could beneficially affect keratinocyte growth and are suitable for pharmacological testing, as demonstrated by the hair growth drug PRIORIN®.