Structural modifications into diphenyl diselenide molecule do not cause toxicity in mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate toxicological parameters of following compounds: 1a (4,4'-dichloro-diphenyl diselenide [(ClPhSe)(2)]), 1b (3,3'-ditrifluoromethyl-diphenyl diselenide [(F(3)CPhSe)(2)]) and 1c (4,4'-dimethoxyl-diphenyl diselenide [(CH(3)OPhSe)(2)]). Calculated lethal dose (LD(50)) values for mice exposed, by oral route, to a single application of compounds 1a, 1b or 1c were estimated to be >381, 278 and >372mg/kg, respectively. Compounds 1a and 1b significantly reduced body weight gain as well as food and water intake in mice. δ-Aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and catalase activities were inhibited in mice which received the highest dose of compounds 1a or 1b. Exposure to compounds 1a, 1b and 1c did not modify lipid peroxidation, vitamin C levels, cerebral Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and the biochemical parameters evaluated. The important point for medicinal chemistry is that the structural modifications are not introducing toxicity for the compounds in mice.