A toxicity index of skin and wound cleansers used on in vitro fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine toxicity indexes of commercially available skin, wound, and skin/wound cleansers on in vitro fibroblasts and keratinocytes.


METHODS
Seventeen cleansers and 3 liquid bath soaps were evaluated for cytotoxic effect on human infant dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes. Both skin cell types were exposed to serial 10-fold dilutions of each cleanser until treated cell viability was comparable to untreated controls.


RESULTS
The experimental design allowed calculation of relative toxicity indexes ranging from 0 to 100,000. Shur-Clens, SAF-Clens, and saline were found to be the least toxic to fibroblasts (toxicity index 0); Dial Antibacterial Soap and Ivory Liqui-Gel were the most toxic (toxicity index 100,000). Biolex, Shur-Clens, and Techni-Care were the least toxic to keratinocytes (toxicity index 0); hydrogen peroxide, modified Dakin's solution, and povidone (10%) were found to be the most toxic (toxicity index 100,000).


CONCLUSIONS
Successful cutaneous tissue repair depends on the viability of the principal cell types involved (fibroblasts and keratinocytes). Toxicity indexes provide helpful guidelines for subsequent in vivo evaluations and clinical applications. The study findings also suggest that judicious use of these supposedly innocuous agents should be considered in a clinical setting.
Wilson
Judy R
JR
Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
Mills
John G
JG
Prather
Irvine D
ID
Dimitrijevich
S Dan
SD
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001558:Benzethonium / Q000009:adverse effects; D001888:Boric Acids / Q000009:adverse effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D007223:Infant; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000009:adverse effects; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012915:Soaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000009:adverse effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000009:adverse effects; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001888:Boric Acids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012915:Soaps; C069467:modified Dakin's solution; D001558:Benzethonium; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D019342:Acetic Acid; C032688:boric acid