Picolinafen exerts developmental toxicity via the suppression of oxidative stress and angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos

Picolinafen, a phytoene desaturase-inhibiting herbicide, has been used since 2001 to control the growth of broadleaf weeds. Picolinafen has lower solubility and volatility, and shows lower toxicity to non-target insect species than other types of herbicide. Although picolinafen has been detected in lakes near urban environments and induces chronic toxicity in the mammals, birds, and some aquatic organisms, no study has investigated the toxicity or mode of action of picolinafen in zebrafish. In this study, we demonstrated the lethality and acute LC50 value of picolinafen towards zebrafish embryos. Picolinafen hampered the development of embryos by the induction of morphological abnormalities via apoptosis. Additionally, picolinafen suppressed the generation of reactive oxygen species and angiogenesis. Also, the angiogenesis related genes, flt1 and flt4 mRNA expression was decreased in zebrafish embryos. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of the developmental toxicity of picolinafen in vertebrates.

Automated summary

Picolinafen, a herbicide inhibiting phytoene desaturase, has been used to control broadleaf weeds since 2001. It has lower solubility and volatility, and shows lower toxicity to non-target insect species. This study demonstrated the lethality and acute LC50 value of picolinafen towards zebrafish embryos, showing that it hampers development via inducing morphological abnormalities through apoptosis. Additionally, picolinafen suppressed the generation of reactive oxygen species and angiogenesis, with a decrease in flt1 and flt4 mRNA expression in zebrafish embryos.