Zidovudine and efavirenz induced teratogenicity in mice

Abstract

Introduction: newlineZidovudine (ZDV) is a thymidine analogue which has a potent activity both against HIV-1 and HIV-2 virus. It acts by inhibiting reverse transcriptase enzyme and by inhibiting viral DNA chain elongation. Efavirenz (EFV) is a non nucleoside reverse transciptase inhibitor which binds to reverse transciptase enzyme resulting in its allosteric inhibition. Both are constituent of highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART) used for preventing maternal to child transmission of HIV virus. Zidovudine is classified as class C drug which means that although safe in animals it is yet to be tested in humans for reproductive toxicity. Efavirenz has been classified as class D drug which means that there has been reports of reproductive toxicity induced by it and should be used only when potential benefits outweigh the risk. As the teratology profile of both these drug has not yet been established so we have taken this study to ascertain the toxicity caused by both these drugs individually as well as in combination on structural, biochemical as well as on behavioural aspects of fetal mice. newline