Trazodone and
milnacipran are the active
antidepressant drugs that are being used in the treatment of
psychiatric disorders. In this study, the in vitro genotoxic effects of
trazodone and
milnacipran have been determined in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by using
chromosomal aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), micronuclei (MN), and comet assays. 3.13; 6.25; 12.50; 25.00; 50.00; and 75.00 μg/mL concentrations of
trazodone and 2.50; 5.00; 10.00; 20.00; 30.00; and 40.00 μg/mL concentrations of
milnacipran were used.
Trazodone and
milnacipran significantly increased the frequency of CAs and SCEs compared with the control. Both of the active ingredients raised the MN frequency in a dose-dependent manner. Mitotic index was significantly decreased, but replication and nuclear division indices were not affected at all treatments.
Trazodone was statistically increased the mean comet tail intensity, tail length, and tail moment at three concentrations (6.25; 12.50; and 25.00 μg/mL) compared with control. Two highest concentrations (50 and 75 μg/mL) of
trazodone were toxic in the comet assay.
Milnacipran increased the comet tail intensity, tail length, and tail moment at all concentrations. It is concluded that
trazodone and
milnacipran have clastogenic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic effects on human lymphocytes in vitro.