N,N-dimethyldecan-1-amide

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Short description of key information on bioaccumulation potential result:
The toxicity of hallcomids decreases with the route of application (from intravenous to dermal). The highest toxicity can be observed for the mid chain length (C6-12, with maximum at C8-10) Hallcomids (Wiles, Joseph S.; Narcisse, John K., Jr. Acute toxicity of dimethylamides in several animal species American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal (1958-1999) (1971), 32(8),539-45).

Short description of key information on absorption rate:
N,N-dimethylamides act as penetration enhancer (Irwin W. J., Sanderson, F. D. and Po, A. Li Wan, 1990)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Bioaccumulation potential:

low bioaccumulation potential

Absorption rate - oral (%):

100

Absorption rate - dermal (%):

100

Absorption rate - inhalation (%):

100

Additional information

There were no studies available in which the toxicokinetic properties (distribution, metabolism, elimination) of the N,N-dimethyldecan-1-amide were investigated.

Information about the dermal absorption behaviour is reported in literature (W.J. Irwin, F.D. Sanderson and A. Li Wan Po 1990).

 

The expected toxicokinetic behaviour is derived from the physicochemical properties, the results from the available toxicological studies and the available literature following the information given in guidance document 7c:

 

N,N-dimethyldecan-1-amide having a molecular weight of ~199 g/mol is a liquid with a water solubility of 340 mg/L (20°C) . It has a low volatility of 6.7*10-2 Pa (20°C) and 1.1*10-1 Pa (25°C) and has a lipophilic character (log Pow = 3.92). The structure shows no hydrolysable groups or ionic elements. The surface tension is 20.23 mN/m.

  

Oral and GI absorption: Based on the structure and solubility, it can be expected that the substance is not hydrolysed in GI but soluble in GI fluid. Further it can be expected that the substance can be easily absorbed, but only parent compound or parent compound metabolites. As an acute toxicity study (Cognis, 1997) shows a toxic effect (death) in the 5000 mg/kg sighting study, the oral bioavailability of the test material is indicated. A 90 day feeding study (Bayer 1993) with rats indicates also the systemic availability of the substance.

Inhalative absorption: It can be assumed that the N,N-dimethyldecan-1-amide will be effectively removed in the upper respiratory tract due to its solubility and limited vapour pressure. Nevertheless absorptions is still possible via upper mucosa but is limited by the low vapour pressure. These assumptions were underlined by an acute inhalation study with a C8/C10 mixture (Bayer 1991), were the LC50 was determined to be > 3551 mg/m³.

Dermal absorption: Due to the physicochemical information of the substance a good absorption via skin can be assumed. Literature underlines this result showing a penetration of 11.17 µmol/(cm²*24h) and increased flux ratio for e. g. ibuprofen (1.9 C10 FADMA) compared to control if skin is treated with N,N-dimethyl-amides (W.J. Irwin, F.D. Sanderson and A. Li Wan Po 1990). This result shows that N,N-dimethyldecan-1-amide additionally acts as penetration enhancer.

Distribution: The physicochemical information point to a wide distribution of the substance. Due to a leak of neurotoxic effects in repeated dose studies, distribution to CNS does not appear or substance is not toxic to CNS. Crossing of the blood brain barrier cannot be clearly excluded because also low toxicity to CNS is possible.

Accumulative potential: The main site of accumulation is assumed to be the adipose tissue as well as skin. No accumulation in bone or in lung is predicted. Due to the water solubility and distribution an accumulation is expected unlikely.

Metabolism: No detailed information can be concluded concerning the metabolism. Nevertheless due to the fact that normally substances with low molecular weight are not excreted via bile an enterohepatic recirculation can be excluded. A literature study investigating the intensity of toxic effects shows a route dependency (increase from dermal to intravenous) (Wiles, J.S. and Narcisse, J.K. jr, 1971). For equal toxicity a factor of 100 could be determined between the intravenous and the oral route.

Reactivity: Available studies on genotoxicity were negative (Cognis 1999; Bayer 1995; Bayer 1994), i. e. there is no indication of a reactivity of N,N-dimethyldecan-1-amide or its metabolites under the test conditions.

Excretion: After degradation in the liver, Phase II metabolisation as well as direct elimination is possible, there are at the moment no hints that a special path is preferred. Based on the molecular weight and water solubility it can be assumed that the substance is mainly excreted via urine. If dermal application appears also a portion of the substance could be eliminated via exfoliation.

 

In summary: The bioavailability of the substance can be confirmed through different routes. Possible uptake routes are dermal, oral and inhalative. It can be assumed that the substance is wide distributed, but unlikely to accumulate. It can also be assumed that metabolisation (in liver, via N-demethylase or/and P450) appears, degrading the substance. Afterwards Phase II conjugation and also direct elimination is possible. The main route of excretion is expected to be via urine.

 

Discussion on bioaccumulation potential result:

No valid studies are available investigating the basic toxicokinetics. Nevertheless investigations were published observing the route dependent toxicity of Hallcominds.

The following information is given in the literature (Abstract (citation)):

" The toxicity of a homologous series o£ twelve N-dimethylamides (Hallcomids) was assessed by the intravenous, intraperitoneal, intragastric, and percutaneous routes in mice and rabbits. The ability of this unique and versatile class of dimethylamides to enhance skin penetration was studied by mixing the compounds with an organophosphorus compound (VX). The toxicity of the Hallcomids was compared with the toxicity of other common dimethyl compounds (diracthylsulfolane, dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide). It was concluded that the Hallcomids are slightly to moderately toxic, and precautions to prevent skin contact should be taken for safe use and handling." Wiles, Joseph S.; Narcisse, John K., Jr.Acute toxicity of dimethylamides in several animal species American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal (1958-1999) (1971), 32(8),539-45

Discussion on absorption rate:

No valid studies are available investigating the dermal absorption.

Nevertheless in published literature Irwin, W. J., Sanderson, F. D. and, A. Li Wan, 1990 investigated the percutaneous absorption of ibuprofen and naproxen in the presence of  an amide transport enhancer through rat skin. As aresult n-Alkanoic N,N-dimethylamides were found to act as penetration enhancers for the transport of ibuprofen and naproxen from suspensions in 50% aqueous propylene glycol vehicles across rat skin. Greatest enhancement was observed with naproxen but both drugs demonstrated a bell-shaped dependence on the alkyl chain length of the enhancer. Maximum effect was observed with N,N-dimethyloctanamide and N,N-dimethyldecanamide. Measurement of the skin-vehicle partition coefficients indicated that the partition of the drug into the skin was also maximal when these enhancers were incorporated into the vehicle. Permeation studies monitoring the flux of enhancer indicated that these compounds also penetrated the skin most effectively.