Evaluation of the sensitizing potential of eugenol and isoeugenol in mice and guinea pigs

The sensitizing properties of the fragrances eugenol and isoeugenol have been investigated experimentally. The potential of these materials to induce sensitization of the respiratory tract was examined using the mouse IgE test, a novel but as yet unvalidated method for the predictive identification of chemical respiratory allergens. Comparisons were made with the activity of eugenol and isoeugenol in two predictive tests for contact sensitization potential: the murine local lymph node assay and the guinea pig maximization test. Both chemicals elicited positive responses in these tests, isoeugenol exhibiting a greater potential for contact sensitization than eugenol. Isoeugenol was negative at all concentrations examined in the mouse IgE test. In the same assay, exposure to eugenol was associated with a statistically significant increase in serum IgE concentrations when initial application concentrations of 2.5% were used. However, at higher test concentrations eugenol was negative in the mouse IgE test. It is concluded that neither eugenol nor isoeugenol have a significant potential to cause sensitization of the respiratory tract, a conclusion that is apparently consistent with the lack of evidence for occupational respiratory allergy associated with exposure to these chemicals. The evidence for isoeugenol lacking respiratory sensitization activity is particularly strong and it is proposed that this chemical may be of value as a negative control in the development and validation of new predictive test methods for the identification of chemical respiratory allergens.