CYTOTOXICITY INDUCED BY PAPAVERINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN FUNGAL CELL SYSTEMS

Cunninghamella echinulata was used to assess the Cytotoxicity of papaverine (papaver), at concentrations ranging from 1 × 10-5 to 1 × 10-3 M for 1-6 days. Leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and changes in alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratios were used as indices of Cytotoxicity. Leakage of LDH occurred at the 6th day with 1 × 10-3 M; AP activity and L/P ratios decreased after 6 days treatment with 1 × 10-4 M, after 1 day with 1 × 10-3 M, and after 3 days with 1 × 10-4 M, respectively. This study provides support for the use of fungal cell systems to evaluate the toxicity of drugs and chemicals. © 1990.