Applied Chemical Engineering

In vitro cell-based assays to test drugs – A Review

Antony V. Samrot

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Persimpangan Batu Hampar, Bukit Baru, 75150 Melaka, Malaysia

Wilson S

Department of Botany, St.John's College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India - 627 002.

Subramanian Saigeetha

Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore Campus, Tiruvalam Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India

Remya Rajan Renuka

Centre for Stem Cell Mediated Advanced Research Therapeutics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, IndiaIndia

Sivarao Subramonian

Faculty of Industrial and Manufacturing Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, 76100, Melaka, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v8i4.5582

Keywords: In vitro assays; Tetrazolium salts; Resazurin; DNA based assays

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Abstract

Cell viability is an important indicator of healthy cells. Cell viability plays a prominent role in order to determining various parameters including toxicity, as the cells may be damaged due to some physical and chemical agents. In vitro assays are efficient, sensitive, time-saving and were designed to replace the problems and ethical issues faced by animal models for testing the efficiency of a drug molecule. There are various assays used for determining the cell viability in eukaryotes. Assays, including Dye exclusion assays, colorimetric assays, luminometric assays, fluorometric assays and DNA-based assays involved in determining the cell viability, proliferation and cytotoxicity are discussed in this review.

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