Therapeutic efficacy of a novel bispyridinium oxime K203 and commonly used oximes (HI-6, obidoxime, trimedoxime, methoxime) in soman-poisoned male rats and mice

The potency of a novel oxime K203 in reactivating soman-inhibited acetylcholinesterase and reducing acute toxicity of soman was compared with commonly used oximes (HI-6, obidoxime, trimedoxime, methoxime) using in vivo methods. The study determining percentage of reactivation of soman-inhibited blood and tissue acetylcholinesterase in rats showed that the potency of the oxime K203 to reactivate soman-inhibited acetycholinesterase in the peripheral compartment is slightly higher than obidoxime and trimedoxime, especially in the diaphragm, slightly lower than methoxime and markedly lower compared to the oxime HI-6. The reactivating efficacy of the oximes studied in the peripheral compartment roughly corresponds to their potency to reduce acute toxicity of soman in mice. Based on the obtained data, we can conclude that the oxime K203 is not suitable for the replacement of the oxime HI-6 for the antidotal treatment of acute soman poisoning due to its relatively low potency to counteract acute toxicity of soman.