Toxicological evaluation of a nonlethal riot control combinational formulation upon dermal application using animal models

Abstract

Numerous adverse effects on human health have been reported in epidemiological studies of oleoresin capsicum (OC) and other riot control agents (RCAs). Importantly, the daunting risk of such RCAs can be neutralized by optimizing the desired concentration of such agents for mob dispersal. Hence, a nonlethal riot control combinational formulation (NCF) was prepared for dispersing rioters without imparting fatal outcomes. However, for desired utilization of NCF, it is essential to recognize its extent of potential toxicity. Therefore, the current investigation evaluated the dermal toxicity of NCF using experimental animals in compliance with the OECD guidelines. Additionally, few essential metal ions were analyzed and found non -significantly different in the test rats as compared to control rats. Moreover, abnormal dermal morphology and lesions ultrastructural tissue defects were not noticed as evinced by different studies like ultrasonography, histology, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. Further, Doppler ultrasonography exhibited non-significantly different blood flow velocity in both groups, whereas miles test demonstrated a significantly increased Evans blue concentration in test rats compared to the control rats, which might be due to an initial increase in blood flow via an instant action of the NCF at the cutaneous sensory nerve endings. However, our results demonstrated NCF can produce initial skin irritating and sensitizing effects in guinea pigs and rabbits without the antecedence of acute toxicity (≤2000 mg/kg) in Wistar rats.

Keywords:

• Neurogenic inflammation
• oleoresin capsicum
• skatole
• riot control
• acute dermal toxicity study
• genotoxicity
• scanning electron microscopy
• atomic absorption spectrometry
• ultrasonography
• plasma extravasation study

Acknowledgement

All the authors are grateful to Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, Assam, India under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India, for providing research fellowship and necessary facilities to carry out the work. One of the authors, Sanghita Das is thankful to the Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India for providing necessary administrative support in carrying out doctoral (Ph.D.) research work. Author also extends sincere gratitude towards Dr Ajitav. Bora, Scientist, DRL, Tezpur, Assam, India for reviewing the manuscript thoroughly.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) had not received any funding for the authorship and/or publication of this article.