The Development and Characterisation of a Structure-activity Relationship Model of the Draize Eye Irritation Test

A structure-activity relationship (SAR) model based on the results of 297 chemicals tested in the Draize eye irritation assay was developed. The SAR model displayed a predictivity of 74% for chemicals not included in the model. The SAR analysis indicated that chemical reactivity was not a requirement for eye irritation. The major structural determinants included hydrophilicity, alkalinity (i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary amines), acidity (for example, the carboxylic acid moiety), and putative lipophobic 4.5-5.4Å receptor-binding ligands. The analysis revealed that, while there were significant structural overlaps between the SAR models of ocular irritation, allergic contact dermatitis and respiratory hypersensitivity, there was much less overlap between ocular irritation and cell toxicity. This decreased overlap must be considered in developing strategies to replace the Draize test with in vitro cellular toxicity assays.