title: Mutagenicity studies with praziquantel, a new anthelmintic drug, in mammalian systems.
abstract: Praziquantel, a new anthelmintic drug with antischistosomal and anticestodal properties, was tested in comparison with a placebo control and a 'positive control' with cyclophosphamide in mammalian test system in vivo for potential mutagenic effects. The test systems used and the tested doses of Praziquantel were: (1) Dominant lethal test on male NMRI mice, 12 mating periods of 4 days each, 1 X 1200 mg/kg BW by mouth; (2) Dominant lethal test on female NMRI mice, treatment during pre-estrus, 1 X 1200 mg/kg BW by mouth; (3) Micronucleus test on male and female NMRI mice, two doses with a 24-h interval and preparation of the femoral marrow 6 h after the second dose, 2 X 300 mg/kg and 2 X 600 mg/kg BW by mouth; (4) Spermatogonial test on the Chinese hamster, two doses with a 24-h interval and preparation of the spermatogonia 48 h after the second dose, 2 X 600 mg/kg BW by mouth. The 1200 mg/kg BW dose corresponded to approximately 1/2 of the LD50 after oral application in the mouse and about 40 times the therapeutic dose (1 X 30 mg/kg BW). The cyclophosphamide doses in the test systems were 1 X 200 mg/kg or 2 X 200 mg/kg BW by mouth. No indication was found of any mutagenic potency of Praziquantel. This agrees with the results of point-mutation tests done by other authors.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005799:Genes, Dominant / Q000187:drug effects; D005804:Genes, Lethal / Q000187:drug effects; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009153:Mutagens; D011247:Pregnancy; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D009153:Mutagens; D011719:Pyrazines; D012556:Schistosomicides; D003520:Cyclophosphamide