Genotoxicity of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride on the bone-marrow cells of swiss mice

The mutagenic effect of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride was evaluated in the bone-marrow cells of Swiss mice by the micronucleus test. A comparative study of the drug was made by oral and intraperitoneal administrations containing 187.5, 375 and 562 mg/kg body weight and 67, 134 and 201 mg/kg body weight respectively, corresponding to three sublethal doses of 1 4 , 1 2 , and 3 4 LD 50, respectively. Bone-marrow preparations were made and slides scored for the presence of micronuclei in the developing erythrocytes. The results showed that the drug chlordiazepoxide induced a significant increase of micronuclei in the polychromatic erythrocytes by both routes of administration.