SODIUM XYLENESULFONATE
Also known as: Sodium xylenesulphonate, technical grade sodium xylenesulfonate, CAS Number 1300-72-7, Sodium xylenesulfonate
Overview
Sodium xylenesulfonate is a synthetic organic compound, a sulfonate salt derived from xylene. It is not naturally occurring and is manufactured for industrial and pharmaceutical uses. Primarily, it functions as a surfactant, dispersant, or solubilizing agent in various formulations, particularly in topical pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. It is highly water-soluble and chemically stable, properties that make it effective in enhancing the solubility and stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Unlike many compounds, sodium xylenesulfonate is not intended or used as a dietary supplement ingredient for direct health benefits. Research on this compound is mainly focused on its toxicological and safety profiles, predominantly from animal studies and regulatory assessments, rather than clinical trials evaluating its efficacy as a supplement. Therefore, there is limited to no research on its direct health effects in humans when consumed as a supplement.
Benefits
There is no peer-reviewed evidence from randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses supporting direct health benefits of sodium xylenesulfonate as a supplement ingredient. Its primary role is as an excipient or formulation aid in various products, meaning it helps to improve the properties or delivery of other active ingredients, rather than providing any direct therapeutic or nutritional effects itself. Consequently, it is not marketed or recommended for use as a dietary supplement for health improvement.
How it works
Sodium xylenesulfonate functions primarily as a chemical agent to improve the solubility and dispersion of other compounds in formulations. It acts as a hydrotrope, increasing the solubility of hydrophobic substances in aqueous solutions. This mechanism is purely chemical and does not involve biological pathways or direct interaction with human body systems in a therapeutic or nutritional manner. There are no known molecular targets relevant to supplementation or therapeutic effects. While some dermal absorption has been observed in animal studies, its pharmacokinetics in humans are not well characterized, and it is not designed to be absorbed for systemic effects.
Side effects
In animal studies, specifically a 14-week dermal toxicity study in rats, sodium xylenesulfonate showed no mortality or significant systemic toxicity at doses up to 800 mg/kg/day. The most commonly observed side effect in these studies was a brown discoloration at the site of dermal application. No significant systemic adverse effects were reported in these animal studies, and there are no documented drug interactions or established contraindications due to a lack of clinical data in humans. It is important to note that these safety assessments are based on its use as an excipient or in industrial contexts, not as a directly ingested supplement. Data on special population considerations (e.g., pregnant women, children) are not available. Given its intended use, it is not expected to be consumed orally in significant amounts, and its safety profile for direct human consumption as a supplement is not established.
Dosage
There are no established dosing guidelines for sodium xylenesulfonate as a dietary supplement because it is not used for this purpose. Toxicological studies in animals, primarily involving dermal exposure, have used doses ranging from 6 to 800 mg/kg/day without observing systemic toxicity. However, these doses are for research purposes to assess safety in specific applications (e.g., topical formulations) and do not translate to recommendations for human oral supplementation. Since it is not intended for direct human consumption for health benefits, there is no recommended intake, upper limit, or safety threshold for its use as a supplement.
FAQs
Is sodium xylenesulfonate safe for human consumption?
It is generally considered safe as an excipient in products with low toxicity in animal studies, but it is not intended for direct consumption or supplementation. Its safety for oral intake as a supplement is not established.
Does sodium xylenesulfonate provide health benefits?
No, there is no scientific evidence supporting any direct health benefits from sodium xylenesulfonate. Its role is primarily as a chemical aid in formulations, not as an active therapeutic or nutritional agent.
Can sodium xylenesulfonate be used as a salt substitute?
No, sodium xylenesulfonate is chemically distinct from sodium chloride (table salt) and is not used for dietary sodium replacement. It does not offer the same culinary or nutritional properties as salt.
Is sodium xylenesulfonate related to sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS)?
No, they are different chemical compounds. While both contain 'sulfonate,' SPS is a medication used to treat hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) and has different mechanisms of action and associated risks.
Research Sources
- https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/ntp/htdocs/lt_rpts/tr464.pdf – This NTP Technical Report details a 14-week prechronic and chronic toxicity study of sodium xylenesulfonate in rats. The study found no mortality or significant systemic toxicity at dermal doses up to 800 mg/kg/day, though local skin discoloration was observed. It provides high-quality toxicological data on the compound's safety profile in an animal model.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34328838/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the risk of intestinal necrosis associated with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS), a different compound. While not directly about sodium xylenesulfonate, it highlights the importance of distinguishing between similar-sounding chemicals and their specific safety profiles, noting that SPS was not statistically associated with increased intestinal necrosis risk.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jch.14562 – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the effects of salt substitutes on blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes. It concluded that salt substitutes can reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, but it does not include sodium xylenesulfonate, emphasizing that this compound is not a dietary salt substitute.
Supplements Containing SODIUM XYLENESULFONATE
SMOOTH & LIFT COLLAGEN FACIAL CLEANSER With Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid & Squalane
globalBeautyCare®
Old Spice Fiji with Palm Tree High Endurance Scent Men's Body Wash
Old Spice
HYDRATE HYDRATER coconut water eau de noix de coco SHAMPOO SHAMPOOING
Herbal Essences