Nortafluprost
[CAS# 209860-89-9]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Carboxylic compounds and derivatives
• Name: Nortafluprost
• Synonyms: Tafluprost ethyl ester; ethyl (Z)-7-[(1R,2R,3R,5S)-2-[(E)-3,3-difluoro-4-phenoxybut-1-enyl]-3,5-dihydroxycyclopentyl]hept-5-enoate
• Molecular Formula: C₂₄H₃₂F₂O₅
• Molecular Weight: 438.50
• CAS Registry Number: 209860-89-9
• SMILES: CCOC(=O)CCC/C=C\C[C@H]1[C@H](C[C@H]([C@@H]1/C=C/C(COC2=CC=CC=C2)(F)F)O)O

Properties

• Density: 1.2±0.1 g/cm³ Calc.^*
• Boiling point: 546.6±50.0 ºC 760 mmHg (Calc.)^*
• Flash point: 284.4±30.1 ºC (Calc.)^*
• Index of refraction: 1.553 (Calc.)^*

^* Calculated using Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) Software.

Discovory and Applicatios

Nortafluprost is a synthetic prostaglandin analogue that has been proposed for use as a hair-conditioning or eyelash/eyebrow-enhancing agent rather than as a therapeutic ocular drug. Chemically, nortafluprost is described with a CAS number 209860-89-9 in safety-assessment documents, and it is listed in cosmetic ingredient inventories (INCI) under the name “nortafluprost”. It belongs to the class of F2 α-prostaglandin analogues (similar in core structure to drugs like latanoprost, travoprost and bimatoprost) but modified for topical application and conditioning of hair or lashes.

The compound appears primarily in the context of cosmetic use rather than regulated ophthalmic therapy. For example, the Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR) Safety Assessment lists nortafluprost as a “synthetic analogue of a prostaglandin” used as an eyelash-conditioning agent and hair-conditioning agent, identifying its function in personal-care formulations. Beyond this database entry, publicly available peer-reviewed literature discussing nortafluprost’s pharmacology, metabolism or clinical testing appears to be lacking or not readily accessible. Available sources emphasise formulation usage rather than clinical efficacy or detailed mechanism of action.

In terms of its application in hair-care or lash/ brow-care products, nortafluprost is advertised in trade and cosmetic-marketing materials as promoting lash/brow fullness, improving hair-fiber condition and reducing breakage or brittleness. These claims are consistent with the known effects of prostaglandin analogues on hair growth and follicle biology (as observed with bimatoprost, where lash growth is a marketed use). However, because nortafluprost lacks detailed published clinical data in the scientific literature, the exact mechanism of its hair- or lash-conditioning activity remains unverified within peer-reviewed journals.

From a regulatory- and safety-perspective, ingredients like nortafluprost are subject to cosmetic-ingredient review rather than drug approval frameworks when used in hair or lash serums. The CIR document identifies the ingredient for “eyelash conditioning” and “hair conditioning”, listing its CAS and acknowledging that its use is non-therapeutic. Because the chemical is derived from a prostaglandin-analogue scaffold, formulators developing products containing nortafluprost must consider systemic absorption, ocular exposure (if applied near the eyes), potential pigmentary changes, eyelid or orbital-fat changes, and standard cosmetic safety-requirements (patch testing, low concentrations, consumer sensitivity).

In practice, hair- and lash-care products employing nortafluprost will typically use the compound at very low concentrations, incorporate sterile or cosmetic-grade manufacturing, and advise consumers about possible irritations, especially when applied near the eyes or on delicate skin. Because the public literature is limited, any claims of lash-growth or brow-thickening remain marketing-driven rather than substantiated by large-scale independent clinical trials.

In summary, nortafluprost is an interesting case of a prostaglandin-analogue derivative repurposed for cosmetic hair conditioning rather than for therapeutic ocular treatment. While its chemical classification and formulation use are documented in cosmetic ingredient assessments, detailed pharmacological, mechanistic or clinical outcome data remain scarce in the peer-reviewed literature. Further independent investigations would be required to validate its efficacy and safety profiles beyond ingredient-inventory listings.

References

Ota T, Nonaka H, Ochi T, Fujita T, Yoshida K, Noguchi Y, Kobayashi K & Matsuo M (2003) New fluoroprostaglandin F₂α derivatives with prostanoid FP-receptor agonistic activity as potent ocular-hypotensive agents. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 26(12) 1691–1695. DOI: 10.1248/bpb.26.1691

Sharif NA, Kelly CR, Crider JY, Williams GW & Xu SX (2003) Ocular hypotensive FP prostaglandin (PG) analogs: PG receptor subtype binding affinities and selectivities, and agonist potencies at FP and other PG receptors in cultured cells. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 19(6) 501–515. DOI: 10.1089/108076803322660422

Woodward DF, Krauss AH-P, Chen J, Liang Y, Li C & Pettit SN (2001) The pharmacology of bimatoprost (Lumigan™). Survey of Ophthalmology 45(Suppl 4) S337–S345. DOI: 10.1016/S0039-6257(01)00224-7