Assessment of Skin Toxicity Using Skin Equivalents Containing Cervi cornus Colla

To substitute animal test, skin equivalents (SEs) have been developed for skin irritation and corrosion test. Recently, we have developed new SEs containing Cervi cornus Colla (CCC). In the present study, we used the SEs for cutaneous cytotoxicity test. Sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) or sodium carbonate was applied to the SEs-, and the epidermal damage by H&E and immunohistochemical stains was evaluated. Our results showed that SDS or sodium carbonate affected the epidermal part of SEs containing CCC in a dose-dependent manner and decreased the expression of p63. It is concluded that SEs containing CCC could be used for an alternative model of animal test and would be greatly helpful in the development of in vitro irritation and corrosion test.