Investigation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of abamectin pesticide inAllium cepaL.

The present study was conducted to investigate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by abamectin pesticide inAllium cepaL. bulbs. Following 72-h exposure to different doses (0.025 ml/L, 0.050 ml/L, and 0.100 ml/L) of abamectin, growth level, micronuclei abundance, mitotic index, chromosomal aberrations, malondialdehyde content, meristematic cell damages, and total activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were explored. The results revealed that all concentrations of abamectin were capable of inducing significant and dose-dependent changes in all parameters. Increasing doses of abamectin caused remarkable decreases in germination ratio, weight gain, and root elongation. Due to abamectin-induced genotoxicity, the mitotic index declined, while chromosomal abnormalities listed as micronucleus, fragment, sticky chromosome, unequal distribution of chromatin, bridge, vacuole nucleus, nucleus damage, and multipolar anaphase. Depending on the oxidative stress caused by abamectin administration, the total activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes increased significantly along with the malondialdehyde content. Indistinct transmission tissue, epidermis cell deformation and flattened cell nucleus were the meristematic cell damages in pesticide-applied groups. Findings of the present study revealed that abamectin is a risky pesticide with a variety of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in non-targeted organisms.A. cepais a promising material for biomonitoring the toxicity of abamectin.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that abamectin pesticide has significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on Allium cepaL. bulbs, causing changes in various growth and genetic parameters. The genotoxicity of abamectin led to cellular damage and chromosomal abnormalities, while also inducing oxidative stress effects.