The Animal biotechnology laboratory has been actively involved in in vitro safety testing for various cosmetic ingredients, actives and formulations as an alternative to animal testing. We follow ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods) guidelines for testing of cosmetics.

Animal Cell culture assays: The Animal Cell Culture laboratory offers the following in vitro testing facilities:

1. The Eye Irritation potential of surfactants and other raw materials is assessed by the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on Rabbit Corneal epithelial Cell Line (SIRC).
2. Reactivity of insoluble compounds, for e.g. hair conditioners is evaluated by the Agar Diffusion test on murine fibroblast cell line L929 as per U.S. Pharmacopoeia for Biological Reactivity Tests, In Vitro (biological tests/87).
3. Cell viability/cytotoxicity is assessed by the Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) assay on 3T3 cell line to determine cytotoxicity of aqueous soluble compounds.

Biochemistry assays:
Enzymatic assays

1. Anti-Tyrosinase assay is used to estimate melanin inhibiting potential of test compounds (skin lightening activity).
2. Anti-Elastase assay is used for anti-aging studies.

Non-enzymatic assays
Antioxidants regulate various oxidative reactions naturally occurring in tissues and are evaluated as potential anti-aging agents. Hence, antioxidants can terminate or retard the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals, chelating free catalytic metals and also by acting as electron donors.

1. DPPH assay evaluates the radical scavenging activity (antioxidant property) of test compounds.
2. Superoxide scavenging assay is used to assess the radical scavenging activity (antioxidant property) of test compounds.
3. Reducing power assay is used to assess the antioxidant or reducing property of test compounds.