Saheera Kumar

Ms. Saheera Kumar


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 January 2026 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
SKSaheera Kumar
Saheera Kumar
MKMichelle Vanessa Kamga Kapchoup
Michelle Vanessa Kamga Kapchoup
ZHZhang Hai
Zhang Hai
SSSureshkumar Perumal srinivasan
Sureshkumar Perumal srinivasan
AWAdeline Kaptue Wuyt
Adeline Kaptue Wuyt
FNFilomain Nguemo
Filomain Nguemo
Background/Objectives: Toothpaste ingredients such as strontium chloride (SrCl₂) and potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) are recognized for their desensitizing and remineralizing ef-fects but may be absorbed through the oral mucosa. Their potential cytotoxic and cardio-toxic properties, however, remain inadequately characterized. Here, we investigated the effects of SrCl₂ and K₂CO₃ on mouse-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). Methods: Cells were exposed to varying con-centrations of each compound for up to 72 h. Real-time cell analysis (xCELLigence RTCA Cardio system) was used to assess proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell viability. Functional properties of iPSC-CMs were examined using multi-electrode ar-ray (MEA) recordings and the xCELLigence based impedance measurements. Cardiac marker expression was examined via immunofluorescence and quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Both SrCl₂ and K₂CO₃ affected iPSCs proliferation and reduced viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, accompanied by altered embryoid body (EB) morphology and increased cell death. In iPSC-CMs, both compounds downregulated keys cardiac genes and disrupted spontaneous beating activity, with effects intensifying at the higher concentrations. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that SrCl₂ and K₂CO₃ induced dose-dependent cytotoxic and arrhythmogenic effects on iPSCs and iPSC-CMs. At elevated concentrations, these compounds impair iPSC-CMs function and may pose safety con-cerns upon chronic exposure. Further mechanistic and long-term in vivo studies are war-ranted to assess their potential cardiotoxic risk in consumer oral care products.

25 February 2026 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SKSaheera Kumar
Saheera Kumar
MKMichelle Vanessa Kamga Kapchoup
Michelle Vanessa Kamga Kapchoup
ZHZhang Hai
Zhang Hai
SSSureshkumar Perumal srinivasan
Sureshkumar Perumal srinivasan
AWAdeline Kaptue Wuyt
Adeline Kaptue Wuyt
FNFilomain Nguemo
Filomain Nguemo
Background/Objectives: Toothpaste ingredients such as strontium chloride (SrCl2) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) are recognized for their desensitizing and remineralizing effects but may be absorbed through the oral mucosa. Their potential cytotoxic and cardiotoxic properties, however, remain inadequately characterized. Here, we investigated the effects of SrCl2 and K2CO3 on mouse-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). Methods: Cells were exposed to varying concentrations of each compound for up to 72 h. Real-time cell analysis (xCELLigence RTCA Cardio system) was used to assess proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell viability. Functional properties of iPSC-CMs were examined using multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings and xCELLigence-based impedance measurements. Cardiac marker expression was examined via immunofluorescence and quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Both SrCl2 and K2CO3 affected iPSC proliferation and reduced viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, accompanied by altered embryoid body (EB) morphology and increased cell death. In iPSC-CMs, both compounds downregulated key cardiac genes and disrupted spontaneous beating activity, with effects intensifying at higher concentrations. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that SrCl2 and K2CO3 induced dose-dependent cytotoxic and arrhythmogenic effects on iPSCs and iPSC-CMs. At elevated concentrations, these compounds impair iPSC-CM function and may pose safety concerns upon chronic exposure. Further mechanistic and long-term in vivo studies are warranted to assess their potential cardiotoxic risk in consumer oral care products.