| abstract |
The present invention relates to an in vitro method for evaluating the cytotoxicity of chemicals, especially those containing volatile substances that are immiscible with water, preferably chemicals used in a bio-healthcare setting. In said method, said products are brought into direct contact with cell and/or tissue cultures in vitro and a non-volatile substance is placed on top of the volatile substance being studied, thereby preventing the evaporation thereof and allowing the time during which the cell or tissue cultures are exposed to the products being studied to be controlled. Moreover, the method allows the substance being studied to be recovered. The method allows the biocompatibility and biosafety of said, preferably volatile, chemicals to be determined in a reliable and reproducible manner prior to conducting in vivo studies and studies of the use thereof in clinical practice. |