Chronotoxicity of a copper (II) complex with a linear tetradentate ligand in mice

In vitro copper (II) complex presents antimitotic, effects. In this work, w e have studied the in vivo seasonal toxic effects of copper (II), ligand (H 2L) and the complex [Cu(H2L)(H2O)(2)]Cl-2. 4H(2)O in male Swiss mice. Durin g spring, an i.p. injection of CuCl2 in aqueous NaCl (9 g(.)l(-1)) up to 0. 05 mu mol(.)kg(-1) b.w. (body weight) killed 60% of the rodents after 6 day s. LD100 was up to 0.3 mu mol(.)kg(-1); H2L was well tolerated, while the c omplex was 30% lethal with 50 mu mol(.)kg(-1). In autumn, mice were less se nsitive to CUCl2, and both ligand and complex were equally tolerated and th is leads to the conclusion that, in vivo, chronotoxicities of copper (II) a nd complex in NaCl aqueous solutions are quite different in spring and autu mn seasons.