Dipropylene Glycol
Also known as: Dipropylene Glycol, DPG, dipropylene glycol mixture, CAS Number 25265-71-8
Overview
Dipropylene glycol (DPG) is a synthetic organic compound, specifically a diol ether, manufactured industrially from propylene oxide. It is a colorless, odorless, hygroscopic liquid known for its low volatility and good solubility in both water and organic solvents. DPG is not naturally occurring and is not classified or used as a dietary supplement ingredient. Its primary applications are as a solvent, plasticizer, and carrier in various formulations, including cosmetic products, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals. It facilitates the delivery and stability of other active ingredients within these products. Extensive industrial and toxicological data exist for DPG, primarily focusing on its chemical safety and industrial handling, rather than its efficacy or safety as a therapeutic agent or supplement. There is no peer-reviewed clinical evidence supporting any health benefits of DPG when consumed as a supplement.
Benefits
There is no evidence from high-quality clinical studies, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses to support any health benefits of dipropylene glycol as a supplement ingredient. DPG's role in various products is exclusively as an inert solvent or carrier, meaning it helps dissolve or deliver other active ingredients without exerting any physiological effects of its own. It is not intended for nutritional or therapeutic use, and therefore, no benefits related to human health or well-being are associated with its consumption.
How it works
Dipropylene glycol does not have a mechanism of action relevant to human health or as a supplement. It is an inert compound that functions primarily as a solvent and carrier in various formulations. Its purpose is to dissolve or suspend other active ingredients, facilitating their incorporation into a product and ensuring their stability and delivery. It does not interact with biological pathways or body systems in a manner that would produce therapeutic or health-related effects. Its chemical properties, such as its solubility and low volatility, make it suitable for these industrial and cosmetic applications.
Side effects
Dipropylene glycol is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for its intended uses in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals at low concentrations, exhibiting low acute toxicity. Common side effects are not reported in clinical contexts, and its irritation potential is low, though possible with high or prolonged exposure. Uncommon side effects, occurring in 1-5% of cases, may include rare instances of skin irritation or sensitization, particularly with topical use. Rare side effects, occurring in less than 1% of cases, do not include significant systemic toxicity at typical exposure levels. There are no known pharmacological drug interactions. Contraindications include individuals with known hypersensitivity to glycol ethers. For special populations, such as pregnant individuals, data are limited; while generally considered safe in cosmetic use, clinical safety data for DPG as a supplement are non-existent. A critical safety concern is the potential for contamination with highly toxic related compounds, such as diethylene glycol (DEG), which has been linked to severe adverse events, including acute kidney injury, when present in contaminated medications.
Dosage
There are no established dosing guidelines for dipropylene glycol because it is not used as a dietary supplement or therapeutic agent. Its application is primarily as an excipient, solvent, or carrier in industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical formulations. The concentrations of DPG in these products vary widely depending on the specific formulation's purpose and the desired properties, such as solvency or viscosity. It is not intended for oral consumption, and safety data for ingestion are lacking. Therefore, no recommended dosage ranges, timing considerations, or upper limits for human consumption exist.
FAQs
Is dipropylene glycol safe for ingestion?
No, dipropylene glycol is not intended for oral consumption. It is primarily used topically or as a solvent in industrial applications. Safety data for ingestion are lacking, and it should not be consumed as a supplement.
Can dipropylene glycol cause toxicity?
Toxicity from dipropylene glycol is rare at typical exposure levels in its intended uses. However, a critical safety concern is contamination with related toxic compounds like diethylene glycol (DEG), which has caused severe health issues, including acute kidney injury, when present in medications.
Is dipropylene glycol effective as a supplement?
No, there is no scientific evidence to support any supplement or therapeutic efficacy for dipropylene glycol. It functions as an inert solvent or carrier in formulations and does not provide any health benefits when consumed.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10624877/ – This source, a systematic review and meta-analysis, discusses the efficacy and safety of a pharmaceutical agent (not DPG) for a specific condition. It highlights the rigorous methodology applied to evaluate therapeutic interventions, contrasting with the lack of such studies for DPG as a supplement.
- https://www.e-cep.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.3345%2Fcep.2023.01039 – This article details cases of acute kidney injury in children due to diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination in medications. It underscores the critical importance of avoiding contamination of glycols like DPG with toxic impurities such as DEG, emphasizing a major safety concern for glycol-based products.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40248440/ – This PubMed entry refers to a study on a different glycol derivative or pharmaceutical agent, not directly related to DPG's use as a supplement. It serves as an example of research on related compounds but does not provide information on DPG's efficacy or safety as a supplement.
- https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/11/SCP-Report_Nail-Products-Lab-Study_Final-Accessible-New.pdf – This report from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) discusses chemical ingredients in nail products. While it may mention glycols, it primarily focuses on consumer product safety and chemical exposure in a cosmetic context, not on DPG's role or safety as an ingested supplement.
- https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/mm/803265 – This Sigma-Aldrich product page provides technical specifications, physical, and chemical properties of Dipropylene Glycol. It is a source for industrial chemical data but does not contain information regarding clinical efficacy, safety as a supplement, or human health benefits.
