Tumour initiatory activity of a herbicide diuron on mouse skin

In the present investigation, the tumour initiating activity of a herbicide diuron 3-(3,4 dichlorophenyl)-1,1 dimethyl urea has been observed following multiple topical applications at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight in a standard two-stage initiation-promotion protocol on mouse skin for carcinogenicity testing. It was found that 9 applications of the herbicide given on the interscapular region in a thrice weekly schedule up to 3 weeks and followed, after 1 week, by the repeated 3 times per week application of a known skin tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA), 5 micrograms dissolved in 100 microliters of acetone in the same initiated area, led to the development of benign skin tumours. However, a single dose of diuron, used for each application as above and followed by repeated TPA applications, with the same dose and painting schedule as in the case of multiple applications, failed to initiate tumour development.