Mutagenic Effects of the Combination and Its Components of Albendazole and Ivermectin in vivo and in vitro

Key words: 
• albendazole /
• ivermectin /
• compound preparation /
• mice /
• mutagenic effects /

Abstract: Albendazole and ivermectin, common antiparasitic drugs widely used in livestock production, showed mutagenic effects in some extent. The mutagenic effects of the combination (1:24=ivermectin: albendazole) and its components of ivermectin and albendazole were investigated by utilizing Ames test, mouse bone marrow micronucleus test and mouse sperm aberration test. We found that the micronucleus frequency of bone marrow and the frequency of sperm abnormality were increased in mice treated with the combination. In comparison with the combination, the mice treated with ivermectin or albendazole showed higher micronucleus frequency and sperm abnormality rate. However, no differences were observed in the salmonella mutagenicity test in the combination and its components. The results indicated that the combination of ivermectin and albendazole (1:24) caused a certain degree of mutagenic effects, but the mutation frequency were lower than its components separately. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the drug residues in food and the ecological risk.