Toxicity and metabolism of a new insect repellent N,N-diethylphenylacetamide in mice, rats and guinea pigs on cutaneous application

Cutaneous LD50 of N,N-diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA), a new multi insect repellent was 2200, 3200 and 7100 mg/kg body weight in female mice, rats and guinea pigs; and 1600 and 4000 mg/kg in male mice and rats indicating a high degree of safety on skin contact. Dermal application of DEPA to young growing rats for 21 days at a dose of 50 mg/kg did not exert any adverse effects while massive doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg caused marked reduction of body weight gain and lowering of activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and cholinesterase. Along with DEPA, N-ethylphenylacetamide, phenylacetamide and phenylacetic acid were detected in the urine of DEPA treated mice, rats and guinea pigs.