Genotoxic effect of Tamiflu and Adamine on DNA content in male albino mice

Abstract

Abstract Background Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Adamine (Amantadine HCl) are antiviral drugs which are used for prevention and treatment for influenza. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Tamiflu and Adamine on DNA content of hepatocytes of adult male albino mice. Results The results of comet assay showed that treatment with Tamiflu and Adamine significantly increased (P < 0.005) the mean of DNA damage in hepatocytes of the treated mice in time dependent manner compared to control one. However qRT-PCR analysis showed the mRNA expression of BAX in mice liver of all treated groups with Adamine was significantly increased (P < 0.05) after ten days of treatment while the same gene was significantly decreased in Tamiflu treated group after ten days compared to control one, While the treatment of mice with both drugs simultaneously showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in expression of BCL-2 gene and a decrease in expression of BAX gene after fifteen days of treatment. Conclusion Tamiflu and Adamine had produced deleterious impacts on DNA content of hepatocytes of treated mice. Whereas, the results of treatments with Adamine indicated pathogenic impacts more than that induced by Tamiflu.