An evaluation of the DNA damaging effect of selected aniline derivatives using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (“comet”) assay

Abstract

The alkaline (pH>13) single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay or “comet” assay was used to evaluate for DNA damage induced in bone marrow cells of B6C3F1 mice by four aniline derivatives: 2,4-dimethylaniline (2,4-xylidine), 2,4,6-trimethylaniline (mesidine), 2-chloro-4-methylaniline and 4-chloro- N-methylaniline. The study revealed that two of the four compounds studied, i.e. 2,4-dimethylaniline and 2,4,6-trimethylaniline, increased the extent of DNA migration in bone marrow cells of mice. Two others, 2-chloro-4-methylaniline and 4-chloro- N-methylaniline, had no effect on the DNA of the cells in test conditions. The results of this study, in combination with those of other researchers, leads to the conclusion that 2,4-dimethylaniline and 2,4,6-trimethylaniline are genotoxic and potentially carcinogenic.