Development of Protective Agent Against Sulfur Mustard-Induced Skin Lesions

摘要

Sulfur mustard(SM) is a potent vesicant employed as a chemical weapon in various conflicts during the 20th century (1,2). It functions as a powerful alkylator and highly cytotoxic blisterogen in both humans and animals (1-9). Skin exposed to SM develops erythema within 30 minutes to several hours after exposure followed by edema, vesicle and blister formation, ulceration, necrosis and desquamation (2,7,8,10). The severity of lesions observed after exposure to SM has emphasized the need for an efficient pharmacological antidote against its vesicating activity. The powerful alkylating activity of SM(11-13) results from its conversion, in aqueous solution, to the highly electrophilic ethylene episulfonium derviative (2) which can be neutralized by nucleophilic agents.