Benzamide (Amid kyseliny benzoove), an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, is a derivative of benzoic acid.

Benzamide, an inhibitor of PARP is protective against excitatory amino acid-induced cell death in primary cultures of neurons derived from neonatal rat brain. In addition, benzamide has more recently been shown to partially prevent the loss of dopaminergic cells and the increase in reactive gliosis caused by METH in vitro in fetal rat mesencephalic cells in culture[1]. Benzamide prevents transformation in a cell cycle-specific manner, maximal prevention coinciding with early S phase, also characteristic of maximal susceptibility to transformation[2].

PARP inhibitor benzamide is neuroprotective in C57Bl/6N mice against different types of neurotoxicities and without affecting body temperature[2]. Benzamide treatment significantly decreases the iNOS expression and number of apoptotic neurons and thereby improves the neuronal survival and memory during GCI. Benzamide administration (160 mg/kg i.p.) does not induce hypothermia and reaches the CNS in 30 min in the concentration range of 0.09-0.64 mM, at which, it shows neuroprotection[3].

Exposure to carcinogens and benzamide is done 10 hr after the release of the metabolically induced G1/S block and exposure lasts 10 hr, followed by three washings and refeeding with fresh media. (Only for Reference)