Acute toxicity and effects on hepatic oxidative drug metabolism of mopyridone

Mopyridone (CAS 82822-14-8) is a new chemotherapeutic with a strong antiviral effect (vs. influenza- and toga viruses) and certain advantages over the chemotherapeutics known so far. Toxicological studies reveal its low oral and intraperitoneal toxicity in mice and rats. The 5- and 14-day administration of mopyridone (37.5 mg/kg b.w., orally) to male rats established a growing tendency to the shortening of hexobarbital sleeping time, associated with moderate changes in the hepatic oxidase activity on the 15th day, most pronounced for amidopyrine N-demethylase (by 37%) and less for benzphetamine N-demethylase (by 17%). Aniline hydroxylase activity was slightly diminished (by 18% and 16%, resp.). No significant changes in the components of the electron-transport chain of cytochrome P-450 were established--the content of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b-5 and cytochrome C reductase, both after 5- and 14-day mopyridone administration.