CYTOTOXICITY TEST

* Cytotoxicity is the quality of being toxic to cells. Examples of toxic agents are an immune cell or some types of venom, e.g. from the puff adder (Bitis arietans) or brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa).


Cytotoxicity Testing

* Examination, evaluation, and interpretation of the harmful effects of a substance by testing it on fish, invertebrate animals or small mammals, and extrapolating the test results to determine the quantity that will produce similar effects in humans or other animals.

* Cytotoxicity testing can be useful as a screening tool for pharmaceuticals before more extensive toxicological testing is performed. Additionally, cytotoxicity testing can be used for quality control purposes for lot release testing of raw materials or of manufactured drug products.

* Cytotoxicity tests are designed to determine the toxicity to cells of compounds either qualitatively or quantitatively.