Allethrin-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice

Mutat Res. 2012 Aug 30;747(1):22-28. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2012.03.003. Epub 2012 Mar 20.

Abstract

Allethrin (C(19)H(26)O(3)) is non-cyano-containing pyrethroid insecticide that is used extensively for controlling flies and mosquitoes. Apart from its neurotoxic effects in non-target species, allethrin is reported to be mutagenic in bacterial systems. In this study, we observed oxidative damage-mediated genotoxicity caused by allethrin in Swiss albino mice. The genotoxic potential of allethrin was evaluated using chromosome aberrations (CAs) and a micronuclei (MN) induction assay as genetic end-points. The oral intubation of allethrin (25 and 50mg/kg b.wt.) significantly induces CAs and MN in mouse bone marrow cells. The DNA-damaging potential of allethrin was estimated in mouse liver using the DNA alkaline unwinding assay (DAUA) and by measuring the levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy-guanosine (8-OH-dG). Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation (LPO), with a concurrent decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, confirm its pro-oxidant potential. The DNA-damaging potential of allethrin was found to be mediated through the modulation of p53, p21, GADD45α and MDM-2. These results confirm the genotoxic and the pro-oxidant potential of allethrin in Swiss albino mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Allethrins / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Comet Assay
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Micronucleus Tests
  • Mutagens / toxicity*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Allethrins
  • Insecticides
  • Mutagens
  • Reactive Oxygen Species