Toxicity of potential irritants in mammalian cells in vitro

Four bioactive materials were tested for their ability to produce toxicity in vitro in two cell lines: rabbit corneal cells (SIRC) and human fibroblasts. These compounds are widely used by industries, causing toxic effects to ecosystems and particularly having an impact on human health. Different chemicals were chosen which were structurally unrelated: triethanolamine, zinc pyrithione, sodium lauryl sulfate, and oleamine. Cytotoxicity was evaluated measuring the total protein content (inhibition of cell growth). Results indicated that zinc pyrithione produced the highest inhibition of cell growth when two cell lines were treated in the two doses tested. The lowest cytotoxic effect was observed with oleamine. Triethanolamine and sodium lauryl sulfate produced a similar cytotoxic effect in Fe cells, although sodium lauryl sulfate revealed higher inhibition of cell growth than triethanolamine on SIRC cells. From these results, it can be concluded that some products as triethanolamine and zinc pyrithione should be observed in future special toxicological studies.