Assessment of genotoxicity of Lannate-90® and its plant and animal metabolites in human lymphocyte cultures

Abstract

This study evaluated direct and metabolic genotoxic effects caused by Lannate-90^®, a methomyl-based formulation (90% active ingredient), in human lymphocyte cultures using sister chromatid exchange assay (SCE). Two processes were used for the plant promutagens evaluation: in vivo activation, applying the insecticide systemically in plants for 4 h and subsequently adding plant metabolites containing extracts to lymphocyte cultures; and in vitro activation, where the insecticide was incubated with Vicia faba S10 mix plus human lymphocyte culture. Direct treatment with the insecticide significantly increased SCE frequency in human lymphocytes (250-750 mg L^-1), with cellular death observed at 1000 mg L^-1 concentration. Using the extracts of Vicia faba treated with Lannate-90^® to treat human lymphocytes, a dose-response relationship was observed. In lymphocyte cultures treated directly with the insecticide for 2 h, a negative response was obtained. When S10 mix was added, SCE frequency did not change significantly. Meanwhile, a mixture of S9 mammalian metabolic mix and Lannate-90^® increased the SCE frequency, with an observed concentration-dependent response. Although Lannate-90^® induced cellular death at the highest concentrations, it did not cause a delay in cell proliferation in any of the treatments, confirming its genotoxic action. This study is one of the first to evaluate and compare the direct effect of Lannate-90^® in two bioassays, animal and vegetal, and the effect of plant and animal metabolism on its genotoxic potential.