Amifostine: An Effective Prophylactic Agent against Sulphur Mustard Toxicity (Short Communication)

Abstract

Amifostine, S-2-(aminopropylamino) ethylphosphorothioate and two of its analogues have been evaluated as prophylactic agent against SM toxicity. The compounds were administered intraperitoncally (i.p.) at 0.2 LD/sub59 dose in mice 30 min prior to dermal application of SM. The protective efficacy was determined by observing the mortality for 14 days. The protection offered by amifostine was better than its analogues. Subsequent study on time-dependent protection, carried out with amifostine (0.2 LD/sub50, i.p.) provided significant protection when the drug was administered as 30 min pre-treatment and simultaneous treatment against SM at 155 mg.kg/-1 dose (equal to 19-fold LD/sub50). Furthermore, oral administration of amifostine (30 min pre-treatment) showed similar results. These findings suggest that amifostine is a promising prophylactic agent against SM toxicity.