(in vitro) model for eye and skin irritation testing

摘要

A technique for in vitro testing of ocular and dermal irritants is disclosed. The process involves the topical application of liquid, solid granular or gel-like materials (e.g. cosmetics) to a cell culture and then evaluating the cytotoxicity of the material. Cell cultures of human skin without a stratum corneum and having a histologic similarity to the eye are used. Irritation is evaluated by measuring cell viability using MTT assay (based on the reduction of a tetrazolium dye by functional mitochondria), or release of LDH or PGE2. A unique method of applying test materials which are not water soluble is described.