Assessment of Skin Irritation and Sensitisation Effects by Topical Pterostilbene

Abstract

Pterostilbene has dermal medicinal benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative effects and photoprotective properties against UVB radiation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dermal toxicity of pterostilbene via skin irritation and sensitisation. A skin irritation test was done according to the Organization Economic Co-operation and Development 404 guideline with the scoring of irritation based on erythema and oedema in 5 albino rabbits were observed up to 14 days. The sensitisation test using the Buehler Test in accordance with the ISO 10993-10 guideline was used to study the sensitisation effect of pterostilbene on the skin surface of albino guinea pigs. According to the primary dermal irritation index (PDII), the positive control group was classified with severe irritation (scorings of 7.71). No irritation was observed for the negative control and the 5% pterostilbene treated groups. But, a slight irritation reaction with PDII scorings of 0.86 was observed in the 10% pterostilbene treated group. The sensitisation study indicated that pterostilbene did not produce any sensitisation signs, thus classified as a non-sensitiser agent according to the Magnusson & Kligman classification. Pterostilbene-treated skin also did not indicate any signs of irritation and sensitisation. In conclusion, pterostilbene did not cause dermal toxicity upon application on the skin.