Relative Genotoxic Effects of Cypermethrin, Alphamethrin and Fenvalerate on the Root Meristems of Allium cepa

A comprehensive analysis of royal jelly protection against cypermethrin-induced toxicity in the model organism Allium cepa L., employing spectral shift and molecular docking approaches

In this study, the toxicity of the pesticide cypermethrin and the protective properties of royal jelly against this toxicity were investigated using Allium cepa L., a model organism. Toxicity was evaluated using 6 mg/L cypermethrin, while royal jelly (250 mg/L and 500 mg/L) was used in combination with cypermethrin to test the protective effect. To comprehend toxicity and protective impact, growth, genotoxicity, biochemical, comet assay and anatomical parameters were employed. Royal jelly had no harmful effects when applied alone. On the other hand, following exposure to cypermethrin, there was a reduction in weight increase, root elongation, rooting percentage, mitotic index (MI), and chlorophyll a and b. Cypermethrin elevated the frequencies of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs), levels of proline and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activity rates of the enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). A spectral change in the DNA spectrum indicated that the interaction of cypermethrin with DNA was one of the reasons for its genotoxicity, and molecular docking investigations suggested that tubulins, histones, and topoisomerases might also interact with this pesticide. Cypermethrin also triggered some critical meristematic cell damage in the root tissue. At the same time, DNA tail results obtained from the comet assay revealed that cypermethrin caused DNA fragmentation. When royal jelly was applied together with cypermethrin, all negatively affected parameters due to the toxicity of cypermethrin were substantially restored. However, even at the maximum studied dose of 500 mg/L of royal jelly, this restoration did not reach the levels of the control group. Thus, the toxicity of cypermethrin and the protective function of royal jelly against this toxicity in A. cepa, the model organism studied, were determined by using many different approaches. Royal jelly is a reliable, well-known and easily accessible protective functional food candidate against the harmful effects of hazardous substances such as pesticides.

What can the Allium cepa test say about pesticide safety? A review

The increasing use of pesticides has caused global concerns about the toxic effects and adverse consequences of pesticides on humans and the environment. Among the ways to understand the impact of pesticides, the Allium cepa bioassay stands out. This test is suitable to evaluate different toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic outcomes. In this context, the present review aimed to summarize the history of using the A. cepa bioassay to investigate pesticide damages. Data on the experimental conditions were also discussed. The reviewed studies showed the toxicity profile of 113 active ingredients primarily tested in the laboratory, using water for exposure. The most used biomarkers were the mitotic index, chromosomal aberrations, and nuclear abnormalities. All active ingredients caused some toxicity levels in A. cepa, showing the efficiency and sensibility of this bioindicator and the adverse effect of pesticides on humans and the environment. Furthermore, it was evident that pesticides have great potential to damage the mitotic spindle and DNA because almost all active ingredients tested induced chromosomal aberrations and nuclear abnormalities. The current review showed that the A. cepa bioassay is an effective and appropriate model to evaluate pesticide toxicity, and it might indicate research gaps and recommendations for further studies.