Evaluation of mutagenicity of the antitubercular naphthylglycine hydrazides in Salmonella typhimurium.

ABSTRACT

N-(2-naphthyl)glycine hydrazide and N-methyl-N-(2-naphthyl) glycine hydrazide, which inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 RV and show activity against experimental tuberculosis, were evaluated for their mutagenic potential in Salmonella typhimurium. Both the compounds at concentration ranges from 0·1 μg/plate to 1000 μg/plate failed to induce mutations at the histidine locus either directly or after treatment with rat liver homogenate fraction- "S-9". N-(2-naphthyl)glycine hydrazide and its N-methyl derivative elicited toxicity at concentrations of 500 μg/plate and 1000 μg/plate. However, in the presence of the liver homogenate system, reduction in toxicity was noticed probably due to detoxification and/ or conjugation of the compounds. Under the assay conditions employed, standard mutagens like 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide, 9-aminoacridine and benzo(a)pyrene were positive. The nonmutagenic nature of N-(2-naphthyl)glycine hydrazide and N-methyl-N-(2-naphthyl)glycine hydrazide should enhance their potential for inclusion in treatment protocols for management of tuberculosis.