A comparative in vitro study of cell toxicity of clinically used antiseptics

Objective: Local skin antiseptics are the standard of care for chronic and non-healing wounds. However, little is known about their potential toxic properties. This study investigates the impact of three commercially available and widely used antiseptics on vitality and proliferation of human cutaneous cells.

Methods: Three antiseptics, Lavasept (PHMB), Octenisept (octenidine) and Betaisodona (PVP-iodine) were tested for their cytotoxic effects towards HaCaT cells, primary human keratinocytes and fibroblasts using MTT assay and BrDU ELISA.

Results: Lavasept showed only slight to moderate toxic effects on cellular vitality and proliferation. Ocentisept and Betaisodona induced severe reduction of cell vitality (p<0.05) to 0% surviving fibroblasts at 7.5% (Betaisodona) and 12.5% Octenisept, respectively. Furthermore, poliferative activity was reduced to 0% in keratinocytes at 7.5% concentration of Betaisodona and Ocentisept.

Conclusions: This study shows that frequently used wound- and skin antiseptics show severe cytotoxic effects towards cutaneous cells. Furthermore, antimicrobial efficacy and toxic properties must be included in the clinical decision process for optimal therapy of chronic wounds. The PHMB solution Lavasept showed best results regarding toxicity in this study.