[An experimental study of the skin- and eye-irritating action of an artichoke preparation]

Studies for evaluation of the acute and subacute (21 day) dermal toxicity, skin-irritating, eye-irritating and skin-sensitizing effects of the preparation "Artishok" are carried out in order to determine the professional risk in direct skin contact during its production. The experiments are performed according to the Bulgarian standards and the requirements of OES. It is considered on the basis of the studies that the preparation is not able to produce dermal intoxications. The maximal single dose of 6000 mg.kg-1 is LD0. After 21 day dermal application of the preparation in doses 1000 and 3000 mg.kg-1 there are not observed any signs of intoxication, cumulative effect or changes in the integral, haematologic and biochemical studies of the white rats. These doses are considered to be inefficient. Neither skin-irritating nor eye-irritating effect has been proved. The determining of the skin-sensitizing potential of the preparation in guinea pigs through a maximizing test reveals lack of skin allergic reaction in the conditions of the experiment.