Mutagenic effect of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride in mice by host-mediated assay

Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride, a benzodiazepine tranquilizer was tested for its mutagenic ability by host-mediated assay using Salmonella typhimurium G46 strain as indicator organism and mice as host. Three concentrations of the drug were used: 187.5, 375, and 562 mg/kg body weight corresponding to three sublethal doses 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of LD50. The results show that chlordiazepoxide induced point mutations in Salmonella typhimurium G46 at all three doses. The mutations were increased 2- to 4-fold in the experimental groups compared to the control. The statistical analysis of the data clearly showed significant values at all dose levels; further, the drug also showed a dose-related increase in the mutation rate.