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ANANBIOANAL - 2010
Pharmaceutical R & D Summit
doi:10.4172/2155-9872.1000014
Recent Advances in Drug Discovery Against Sulphur Mustard
Intoxication
Anshoo Gautam
Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, MP, India
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ulphur mustard (SM) is one of the most important blistering and vesicating
agents. It is a chemical weapon of choice by the military and the terrorist groups,
due to its prolonged action it produces mass casualties requiring prolonged and
intensive care. The most common complications of SM occur in lungs, skin and eyes
which are the principal target organ due to its direct effect. Despite rigorous research
efforts on the antidote development to SM, employing a variety of in vivo and in vitro
systems and using various mustard agents so far no satisfactory and recommended
treatment has evolved. In view of the possible threat from various sources against
the military and civilian populations, and the risk during the destruction of stockpiled
mustard agents, development of a suitable antidote is prime requirement. The
physicians should also be aware of the mass casualty due to SM exposure should
be knowledgeable about the various medical countermeasures. In this chapter the
various antidotes and treatment regime experimented in animal models and the
treatment regimens recommended in human casualties are reviewed.
ANALBIOANAL-2010
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