Carvacrol-rich essential oil obtained from the leaves of Origanum spp., Labiatae, by distillation

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

- Skin irritation/corrosion: Irritating, based on the rules of the CLP Regulation for classification of mixtures.

Informations available on the corrosivity parameter were not sufficient to conclude on this endpoint.
- Eye irritation: Irreversible effects on the eye, Cat.1 (OECD 438, GLP, K, rel. 1).

In in vitro eye irritation tests (OECD 492 and OECD 438), the registered substance was irritating (GLP, Rel. 1)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin irritation / corrosion

Link to relevant study records

Reference

Endpoint:

skin irritation / corrosion, other

Remarks:

Classification based on calculation rules for mixtures of the CLP Regulation

Type of information:

calculation (if not (Q)SAR)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

accepted calculation method

Qualifier:

no guideline required

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Classification based on calculation rules for mixtures of the CLP Regulation

Irritation parameter:

other: classification

Remarks on result:

other: skin irritant category 2

Interpretation of results:

Category 2 (irritant) based on GHS criteria

Executive summary:

The NCS is composed of several identified constituents and in that, it can be considered as a mixture according to the definition of the CLP Regulation.

The decision logic for classification of mixtures from the ECHA Guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria (2017) was used to determine the skin irritation/corrosion hazard of the registered substance. The decision of classification as skin irritant was based on existing data on constituents (additivity principles): the registered substance has more than 10% of its constituents classified as Skin irritant Category 2 (Carvacrol, linalool, myrcene, 4 -terpinenol and alpha-pinene) and one constituent classified as skin corrosive 1B (H314) potentially < 5% (thymol) ; therefore, it should be classified as a skin irritant without further testing according to the rules for classification of mixtures of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed (irritating)

Eye irritation

Link to relevant study records

Reference

Endpoint:

eye irritation: in vitro / ex vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

From 16 September 2019 to 22 November 2019

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 438 (Isolated Chicken Eye Test Method for Identifying Ocular Corrosives and Severe Irritants)

Version / remarks:

Adopted 25 June 2018

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU method B.48 (Isolated chicken eye test method for identifying occular corrosives and severe irritants)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Remarks:

Dated to 14 october 2019

Species:

chicken

Strain:

not specified

Details on test animals or tissues and environmental conditions:

SOURCE OF COLLECTED EYES

- Source: The eyes collected from chickens obtained from a slaughterhouse (Etablissement Brun, 33820 Etauliers, France) where they are killed for human consumption have been used for this assay.

- Characteristics of donor animals (e.g. age, sex, weight): The age and weight of the chickens used in this test method are that of spring chickens traditionally processed by a poultry slaughterhouse (i.e., approximately 7 weeks old, 1.5 - 2.5 kg).

- Heads have been removed immediately after sedation of the chickens by electric shock, and incision of the neck for bleeding. The heads have been collected on 23 September 2019 at 8:25 am.

- Storage, temperature and transport conditions of ocular tissue (e.g. transport time, transport media and temperature, and other conditions): Because eyes were dissected in the laboratory, the intact heads were transported from the slaughterhouse at ambient temperature in plastic boxes humidified with towels moistened with physiological saline. The eyes were enucleated at Phycher on 23 September 2019 at 10:20 am.

- Indication of any existing defects or lesions in ocular tissue samples: None

- Indication of any antibiotics used: None

Vehicle:

unchanged (no vehicle)

Controls:

yes, concurrent positive control

yes, concurrent negative control

Amount / concentration applied:

TEST MATERIAL

- Amount(s) applied (volume or weight with unit): 30 μL

- Concentration (if solution): Test item was used as supplied

Duration of treatment / exposure:

Test item was applied for 10 seconds to the cornea

Number of animals or in vitro replicates:

1eye for negative control and 3 eyes for positive control and test item

Details on study design:

SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF ISOLATED EYES

- The eyelids were carefully excised, taking care not to damage the cornea. Then, the eye was further dissected from the skull, taking care not to damage the cornea. The eyeball was pulled from the orbit by holding the nictitating membrane firmly with surgical forceps, and the eye muscles were cut with a bent, blunt-tipped scissor. When the eye is removed from the orbit, a visible portion of the optic nerve should be left attached. Once removed from the orbit, the eye was placed on an absorbent pad and the nictitating membrane and other connective tissue were cut away.

- The enucleated eye was mounted in a stainless steel clamp with the cornea positioned vertically. The clamp was then transferred to a chamber of the superfusion apparatus. The clamps were positioned in the superfusion apparatus such that the entire cornea was supplied with the physiological saline drip (in the range 0.1 to 0.15 mL/min). The chambers of the superfusion apparatus were at a controlled temperature between 31.9 °C.

- After being placed in the superfusion apparatus, the eyes were examined with a slit-lamp microscope to ensure that they have not been damaged during the dissection procedure. Corneal thickness was also measured at this time at the corneal apex using the depth measuring device on the slit-lamp microscope. Eyes with; (i), a fluorescein retention score of > 0.5; (ii) corneal opacity > 0.5; or, (iii), any additional signs of damage were replaced. For eyes that are not rejected based on any of these criteria, individual eyes with a corneal thickness deviating more than 10% from the mean value for all eyes are to be rejected.

- Once all eyes had been examined and approved, the eyes were incubated between 45 and 52 minutes to equilibrate them to the test system prior to dosing. Following the equilibration period, a zero reference measurement was recorded for corneal thickness and opacity to serve as a baseline (i.e., time = 0). The fluorescein score determined at dissection was used as the baseline measurement for that endpoint.

APPLICATION DOSE AND EXPOSURE TIME

- Immediately following the zero reference measurements, the eye (in its holder) was removed from the superfusion apparatus, placed in a horizontal position, and 30 μL of the test item was applied, as supplied, to the cornea for 10 seconds such that the entire surface of the cornea was evenly covered with the test item.

REMOVAL OF TEST SUBSTANCE

- After exposure, test item was rinsed twice from the eye with 10 mL of physiological saline at ambient temperature. The eye (in its holder) was subsequently returned to the superfusion apparatus in the original upright position.

OBSERVATION PERIOD

- Treated corneas were evaluated before the pre-treatment and at 30, 75, 120, 180, and 240 minutes (± 5 minutes) after the post-treatment rinse.

METHODS FOR MEASURED ENDPOINTS:

- All observations of the cornea and measurement of corneal thickness were performed using a Haag-Streit BP900 slit-lamp microscope with depth-measuring device no. I. For the measurement of corneal thickness, the slit-width was set at 9½, equalling 0.095 mm.

- The endpoints evaluated were corneal opacity, swelling, fluorescein retention, and morphological effects (e.g., pitting or loosening of the epithelium). All of the endpoints, with the exception of fluorescein retention (which was determined only at pretreatment and 30 minutes after exposure to the test item) were determined at each of the above time points.

SCORING SYSTEM:

- Mean corneal swelling (%): Corneal swelling was determined from corneal thickness measurements made with an optical pachymeter on a slit-lamp microscope.

Corneal swelling (%) = ((corneal thickness at time t - corneal thickness at time = 0) / (corneal thickness at time = 0)) x 100

The mean percentage of corneal swelling for all tested eyes was calculated for all observation time points. Based on the highest mean score for corneal swelling, as observed at any time point, an overall category score was then given for the test item.

- Mean maximum opacity score: Corneal opacity was calculated by using the area of the cornea that was most densely opacified for scoring. The mean corneal opacity value for all tested eyes was calculated for all observation time points. Based on the highest mean score for corneal opacity, as observed at any time point, an overall category score was then given for each test or control item.

0: No opacity

0.5: Very faint opacity

1: Scattered or diffuse areas; details of the iris clearly visible

2: Easily discernible translucent area; details of the iris are slightly obscured

3: Severe corneal opacity; no specific details of the iris are visible; size of the pupil is barely discernible

4: Complete corneal opacity; iris invisible

- Mean fluorescein retention score at 30 minutes post-treatment: The mean fluorescein retention value for all tested eyes was calculated for the 30-minute observation time point only, which was used for the overall category score given for each test or control item.

0: No fluorescein retention

0.5: Very minor single cell staining

1: Single cell staining scattered throughout the treated area of the cornea

2: Focal or confluent dense single cell staining

3: Confluent large areas of the cornea retaining fluorescein

DECISION CRITERIA:

- Results from corneal opacity, swelling, and fluorescein retention were evaluated separately to generate an ICE class for each endpoint. The ICE classes for each endpoint were then combined to generate an Irritancy Classification for the test item.

- Once each endpoint was evaluated, ICE classes were assigned based on a predetermined range. Interpretation of corneal thickness, opacity, and fluorescein retention using four ICE classes was done according to the table 7.3.2/1, 7.3.2/2, 7.3.2/3.

Irritation parameter:

cornea opacity score

Run / experiment:

maximal mean score

Value:

3

Vehicle controls validity:

not applicable

Negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Remarks on result:

positive indication of irritation

Irritation parameter:

fluorescein retention score

Run / experiment:

mean score

Value:

3

Vehicle controls validity:

not applicable

Negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Remarks on result:

positive indication of irritation

Irritation parameter:

percent corneal swelling

Run / experiment:

maximal mean score

Value:

22

Vehicle controls validity:

not applicable

Negative controls validity:

valid

Positive controls validity:

valid

Remarks on result:

positive indication of irritation

Other effects / acceptance of results:

OCULAR REACTIONS:

- maximal mean score of corneal opacity: 3.0, corresponding to ICE class IV;

- mean score of fluorescein retention: 3.0, corresponding to ICE class IV;

- maximal mean corneal swelling: 22%, corresponding to ICE class III.

The combination of the three endpoints for test item was 2 x IV, 1 x III.

ACCEPTANCE OF RESULTS:

- Acceptance criteria met for negative control: The combination of the three endpoints for the negative control, physiological saline, was 3 x I. Therefore, the negative control is classified as “No Category”, as expected.

- Acceptance criteria met for positive control: The combination of the three endpoints for the positive control, 5% Benzalkonium chloride, was 3 x IV. Therefore, the positive control is classified as “Corrosive/Severe Irritant”, as expected.

Interpretation of results:

Category 1 (irreversible effects on the eye) based on GHS criteria

Conclusions:

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, the results obtained under these experimental conditions enable to conclude that test item does require classification for eye irritation and serious eye damage and has to be classified in Category 1 "Irreversible effects on the eye", according with the GHS.
The signal word "Danger" and hazard statement H318 "Causes serious eye damage" are required.

Executive summary:

An ex vivo eye irritation study was performed according to the OECD Guideline 438 and in compliance with GLP to evaluate the possible ocular corrosive or severe irritating effects of the test item after administration on enucleated chicken eyes.

The test item was applied, as supplied, at the dose of 30 µL, to 3 enucleated eyes during 10 seconds. Then the eyes were rinsed twice with 10 mL of physiological saline. Three eyes were treated in the same manner with a positive control and one eye with a negative control. Damages by the test item were assessed by determination of corneal swelling, opacity, and fluorescein retention at 30, 75, 120, 180 and 240 minutes post-dose.

The ocular reactions observed in eyes treated with the test item were:

- maximal mean score of corneal opacity: 3.0, corresponding to ICE class IV;

- mean score of fluorescein retention: 3.0, corresponding to ICE class IV;

- maximal mean corneal swelling: 22%, corresponding to ICE class III.

The combination of the three endpoints for test item was 2 x IV, 1 x III.

The combination of the three endpoints for the positive control, 5% Benzalkonium chloride, was 3 x IV. Therefore, the positive control is classified as “Corrosive/Severe Irritant”, as expected.

The combination of the three endpoints for the negative control, physiological saline, was 3 x I. Therefore, the negative control is classified as “No Category”, as expected.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, the results obtained under these experimental conditions enable to conclude that test item does require classification for eye irritation and serious eye damage and has to be classified in Category 1 "Irreversible effects on the eye", according with the GHS.

The signal word "Danger" and hazard statement H318 "Causes serious eye damage" are required.

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed (irreversible damage)

Respiratory irritation

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Additional information

Skin irritation/corrosion:

IRRITATION

The NCS is composed of several identified constituents and in that, it can be considered as a mixture according to the definition of the CLP Regulation.

The decision logic for classification of mixtures from the ECHA Guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria (2017) was used to determine the skin irritation/corrosion hazard of the registered substance. The decision of classification as skin irritant was based on existing data on constituents (additivity principles):the registered substance has more than 10% of its constituents classified as Skin irritant Category 2 (Carvacrol, linalool, myrcene, 4 -terpinenol and alpha-pinene) and one constituent classified as skin corrosive 1B (H314) potentially < 5% (thymol) ; therefore, it should be classified as a skin irritant Category 2 without further testing according to the rules for classification of mixtures of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.

CORROSION

In addition and to conclude on the corrosion endpoint, an in vitro skin corrosion study was performed from a reconstituted epidermis (epiCS, Cell Systems) according with the OECD Guideline 431 (RhE, Barré, 2019). The substance was found corrosive to the skin. In order to confirm or not these results, a second method was tried, the OECD 435 Membrane Barrier Test Method (CDS, Barré, 2019). However, this method was found not compatible with the test substance. The remainder of the assay could not be performed and the study was stopped.

Therefore, the test substance was tested in an OECD 430 study (TER, Barré, 2019).

Contradictory results were obtained as the substance was found not corrosive.

With the current data available, it is therefore not possible to conclude on the classification of the substance for the skin irritation/corrosion endpoint although all in vitro methods has been tested.

Eye irritation:

An ex vivo eye irritation study was performed according to the OECD Guideline 438 and in compliance with GLP to evaluate the possible ocular corrosive or severe irritating effects of the test item after administration on enucleated chicken eyes.

The test item was applied, as supplied, at the dose of 30 µL, to 3 enucleated eyes during 10 seconds. Then the eyes were rinsed twice with 10 mL of physiological saline. Three eyes were treated in the same manner with a positive control and one eye with a negative control. Damages by the test item were assessed by determination of corneal swelling, opacity, and fluorescein retention at 30, 75, 120, 180 and 240 minutes post-dose.

The ocular reactions observed in eyes treated with the test item were:

- maximal mean score of corneal opacity: 3.0, corresponding to ICE class IV;

- mean score of fluorescein retention: 3.0, corresponding to ICE class IV;

- maximal mean corneal swelling: 22%, corresponding to ICE class III.

The combination of the three endpoints for test item was 2 x IV, 1 x III. The combination of the three endpoints for the positive control, 5% Benzalkonium chloride, was 3 x IV. Therefore, the positive control is classified as “Corrosive/Severe Irritant”, as expected. The combination of the three endpoints for the negative control, physiological saline, was 3 x I. Therefore, the negative control is classified as “No Category”, as expected.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, the results obtained under these experimental conditions enable to conclude that test item does require classification for eye irritation and serious eye damage and has to be classified in Category 1 "Irreversible effects on the eye", according with the GHS.

The signal word "Danger" and hazard statement H318 "Causes serious eye damage" are required.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Harmonized classification:

The registered substance has no harmonized classification according to the Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008.

Self-classification:

Skin irritation

Based on the available information and typical composition provided by the Lead Registrant, the registered substance has more than 10% of its constituents classified as Skin irritant Category 2 (carvacrol, linalool, myrcene and 4-terpiopnenol) and one constituent classified as skin corrosive 1B (H314) potentially < 5% (thymol). Therefore, it is classified as Skin Irritant Category 2 (H315: Causes skin irritation) according to the rules for classification of mixtures of Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP).

Eye irritation

Based on the available information, the substance should be classified as Corrosive to the eyes Cat.1 (H318 "Causes serious eye damage") according to the Annex I of the Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP) and to the GHS.