TITLE:
Effects of Imazethapyr-Based Herbicide Formulation in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Hepatocyte Cell Line (ZF-L): Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress
AUTHORS:
Edila Maria Kickhöfel Ferrer, Milena Mattes Cerveira, Pedro Henrique Flores Da Cruz, Cleiton Jesus Andrade Pereira, Lucas Moraes Berneira, Claudio Martin Pereira de Pereira, Nathalia Stark Pedra, Roselia Maria Spanevello, Jean Carlos Bauer Vieira, Clarissa Piccinin Frizzo, Mateus Tavares Kütter, Janice Luehring Giongo, Rodrigo de Almeida Vaucher
KEYWORDS:
Agrochemical, Imidazolinone, Zebrafish, Cell Viability, Oxidative Damage
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.15 No.6,
June
28,
2024
ABSTRACT: Seizures of agrochemical formulations have increased in Brazil and Rio Grande do Sul is among the Brazilian states with the highest number of seizures of these products obtained illicitly. The use of illicit formulations can cause significant harm to agricultural production, the environment, and non-target species. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress of a seized formulation containing the herbicide imazethapyr (IMZT). Characterization of the herbicide included gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)). Hemolytic and cytotoxicity assays in ZF-L hepatic cells showed IC50 values of 12.75 µg/mL, 3.01 µg/mL, 2.67 µg/mL, and 1.61 µg/mL for erythrocytes, [3(4,5-dimethyl)-2 bromide-5 diphenyl tetrazolium] (MTT), neutral red (NR), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, respectively. The median IC50 of 2.84 µg/mL was used in oxidative stress assays, revealing increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reduced total sulfhydryl content, and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. This study is the first to report in vitro oxidative stress induced by IMZT in the ZF-L cell line, emphasizing the importance of in vitro assays for assessing the toxic effects of seized agrochemicals on human health and the environment.