Effect of cysteine on the hepatic toxicity and antischistosomal activity of antimonyl potassium tartrate.

Cysteine produced a significant and progressive reduction in the toxicity of antimonyl potassium tartrate (APT) when the two substances were injected into mice and rabbits in ratios of APT to cysteine ranging from 1:1 to 1:3. The reduction in toxicity was highest with the 1:3 ratio. However, the combination of the two substances, especially in the ratio of 1:3, appreciably reduced the antischistosomal activity of APT both in vivo and in vitro.