Genotoxic effect of hydroquinone on the cultured mouse spleenocytes

The daily administration of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg b. wt. of hydroquinone (HQ) to Swiss albino mice, consecutively for 6 days resulted in a dose dependent elevation in the frequency of micronucleated binucleate spleenocytes (MNBNS). This increase in the frequency of MNBNS was significantly higher than that of non-drug treated controls (0 mg/kg). The daily administration of various doses of HQ for 6 days not only increased the frequency of binucleated spleenocytes bearing one micronuclei (MN), but also the BNS bearing two, three, and four MN. The study demonstrates that the daily administration of various doses of HQ for 6 days increases the genotoxic and mutagenic potential in mice.