Toxicity of some phenolic derivatives—in vitro studies

Abstract

Cytotoxicity of 5 phenol derivatives (phenol, catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone and phloroglucinol) was tested using a mouse 3T3 fibroblast cell line. Its relationships with structural and physicochemical properties were investigated. Linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to characterise the relationship between cytotoxicity (expressed by IC50 values) and parameters of compounds or their toxicity in vivo expressed by LD 50 values. The studies showed that physicochemical properties of compounds seemed to have less influence on their cytotoxic potency than structural properties. Cytotoxicity of the compounds probably depends on the number of-OH groups and their location in the aromatic ring more than on physicochemical properties of compounds. The best correlation was obtained for IC50 values and LD 50values determined following rabbit skin administration and experimental skin irritation score. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.