Microvascular effects of a topically applied cationic triphenylmethane dye (crystal violet).

The effects of local application of crystal violet on the microcirculatory system are reported. The testing system consisted of vital microscopy of the cheek pouch of the hamster and microangiography of rabbit's ear. It appeared that the early microcirculatory disturbances caused by a dilute aqueous solution of crystal violet were transient, whereas considerable tissue toxicity was shown in the long-term experimental model. A direct cytotoxic effect is suggested.