A Translational Cell-Culture Study of Jojoba Oil: Potential Uses and Safety Considerations for Nasal Applications

The effects of Simmondsia chinensis seed oil on human nasal epithelial cells were the focus of this investigation.

Nasal epithelial samples were obtained from physiologically sound tissue, as is customary in septorhinoplasty. As soon as the nasal epithelial tissues were received in the laboratory, they were processed. To remove residual blood and potential microbiological contaminants, the specimens were washed multiple times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing a 2% (v/v) antibiotic-antimycotic solution. The tissue pieces were then concentrated by centrifugation. The effects of Simmondsia chinensis seed oil on cell viability were evaluated by quantifying cellular metabolic activity using the MTT colorimetric assay. Afterward, cells were exposed to Simmondsia chinensis seed oil at concentrations of 1, 5, 15, 25, 50, 75, and 100 µL per well for a continuous 24-hour incubation period.

The inhibitory curve was well-defined in the quantitative dose-response model that used nonlinear regression. A logIC₅₀ value of 0.8681 was used to compute the estimated half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), which was found to be 7.3 µL. The high level of reliability and reproducibility in the association between oil exposure volume and the observed reduction in cell viability is supported by the strong model fit (R²=0.9055). Analysis of metabolic activity in cells exposed to Simmondsia chinensis seed oil showed a strong inhibitory effect that increased with increasing oil concentration. Cell viability was expressed relative to untreated cells, which were assigned a reference value of 100%. A steady decline in viability was observed across the entire dose range evaluated, indicating that the oil's cytotoxic effects were strongly concentration-dependent. A statistical comparison was conducted to confirm these findings. The results showed that cell viability was significantly reduced at all tested exposure levels of Simmondsia chinensis seed oil compared with the negative control group. In addition, there was a strong dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, as statistical significance increased steadily with increasing exposure volumes.

Ultimately, the viability and proliferation of nasal epithelial cells are reduced in a dose-dependent manner when exposed directly to Simmondsia chinensis seed oil. Nasal polyposis, granulation tissue formation after surgery, mucosal hyperplasia, and skin complications following rhinoplasty are among the otolaryngologic disorders that may benefit from the topical antiproliferative effects of Simmondsia chinensis seed oil. More clinical and experimental studies are needed to determine its therapeutic potential and safety profile before it may be used in clinical practice.