The cytotoxicities of various phenolic compounds were examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay and established rat dental pulp cells (RPC-C2A). The ID50 (50% inhibition concentration) of the phenolic compounds ranged from 0.1 to 10 mmol/L, and the cytotoxicities of the phenolic compounds were related to their phenolic coefficients. The therapeutic index of each phenolic compound was calculated from the ID 50 results and from the 50% inhibition concentration for prostaglandin synthesis that has been reported previously. Eugenol, guaiacol, and creosol had therapeutic indices much higher than those of other phenolic compounds examined. This experimental system could be used as a simple preliminary assay to test for toxicity of dental drugs and materials.
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