Studies on clastogenic and carcinogenic potency of tetramethyl thiuram disulphide

Tetramethyl thiuram disulphide (Thiram, TMTD), a mutagen, is analysed for its clastogenic property by using micronuclei induction studies in the bone marrow of erythrocytes of male Swiss albino mice. Three concentrations of TMTD, i.e. 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body wt did not significantly increase the micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes or the ratio of poly-to normochromatic erythrocytes. The tumour initiating (10 mg and 1 mg each in 0.2 ml DMSO) and promoting (1 mg in 0.2 ml DMSO) potency of TMTD were tested in female Swiss mice by two stage skin carcinogenic model. There was no significant increase in tumours in the TMTD treated groups, either as initiator or promoter. The results indicated nonclastogenicity and non-carcinogenicity of TMTD under these experimental conditions.