Buprofezin is a type-1 chitin synthesis inhibitor insecticide used to control hemipteran insects. It is generally considered safe for humans, but its persistent nature may become a health hazard if long-term exposure takes place. Adverse effects on mammals are remaining to be explored. The present study investigated buprofezin toxicity on liver and kidney tissues of Balb/c mice treated intraperitoneally with 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 µg/kg b.w doses respectively for 24 h. Statistical analyses demonstrated increased activities (p < 0.05) of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and urea, ROS and TBARS (thiobarbutaric acid) in liver and kidney tissues. Concomitant significant decrease occurred in tissue total protein, antioxidants enzymes, the superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase and non-enzymatic reduced glutathione. Significantly altered histomorphology of liver and kidney tissues revealed excessive tissue damage. Congestion, hepatocyte necrosis, decreases sinusoidal damage in liver, while in kidneys, glomerular shrinkage, capillary damage, widened Bowman's space and lumens of tubules and collecting ducts and necrosis of tubular epithelial cells were evident. TUNEL assay confirmed apoptosis, the Comet assay demonstrated DNA damage by an increase in the head length, tail length, comet length, tail moment and olive tail moment. The study concludes that buprofezin is highly toxic for mammalian tissues and warrants further biochemical, molecular and cellular studies.
Keywords: Comet assay; Insecticides; TUNEL assay; buprofezin; enzyme assays; molting inhibitor.