Evaluation of toxicity of beta-tethymustine, a new anticancer compound, inmice

The toxicity of beta-tethymustine, a potential anticancer compound 1 ((Canc er Lett., 119 (1997) 7-12) was assessed in normal as well as in Ehrlich asc ites carcinoma (EAC), Sarcoma-180 (S-180) and Dalton's Lymphoma (DL) tumour -bearing Swiss male mice by measuring drug-induced changes in haematologica l parameters, femoral bone marrow cellularity and splenic cellularity on da ys 9, 15 and 21 following drug treatment at the optimum dose of 8.0 mg/kg b ody weight from days 1 to 7. Detailed studies were also made by noting sequ ential changes in the above parameters in normal and EAC-bearing mice on da ys 12 and 18, respectively. The results indicate that the compound did not adversely affect haematopoiesis as it was observed that no significant decr ease in haematological parameters and femoral marrow cellularity occurred i n treated groups. Initial hyposplenic activity was, however, noted in EAC a nd normal treated groups on day 9 which soon reached normal count within 7- 10 days after termination of drug therapy. Drug-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were also sequentially evaluated in normal and tumour-bearin g mice on days 9, 15 and 21 but no such toxicities were detected. Also, bod y weight, skin and hair texture, and behavioural pattern (food and water in take and activity) did not reflect any toxic reaction in host mice at this optimum dose. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.