Genotoxic evaluation of morphine, buprenorphine, pentazocine, and noscapine by micronucleus and comet assay in albino mice

Objectives: The present study was planned to explore the genotoxicity of morphine, buprenorphine, pentazocine, and noscapine.
Materials and Methods: Bone marrow micronucleus assay and single cell gel electrophoresis assay were employed after 24 h (single dose) and 72 h (three doses) of treatment with clinically equivalent doses of opioids in albino mice. Percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and comet tail length were determined and the results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Student′s ′t′ test.
Results: Only morphine and noscapine showed significant (P < 0.01) increase in both the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and comet tail lengths in acute (24-h) as well as subacute (72-h) studies.
Conclusions: These results clearly indicate the genotoxic potential of morphine and noscapine at the clinically equivalent doses.

Keywords
Buprenorphine, comet assay, micronucleus assay, morphine, noscapine, pentazocine