| Autor: |
Konig IFM; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., Chaves Reis A; Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., Braga MA; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., De Sousa Melo D; Department of Biology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., Aparecida Oliveira E; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., Maria Seles Dorneles E; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., Thomasi SS; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., Neodini Remedio R; Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil., Marcussi S; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
Plant-derived chemicals are promising substances to control arthropod pests, although synthetic ones are still the most frequently used. Thus, comparative toxicological studies are needed to determine if natural substances are safe alternatives to replace the use of synthetic chemicals. This study aimed to compare the toxicity of carvacrol (natural origin), acetylcarvacrol (semi-synthetic) and a fipronil-based pesticide (synthetic). We assessed the effects of these chemicals on hemolytic activity, erythrocytes morphology and leucocyte viability using whole blood from human subjects. Additionally, DNA damage was evaluated through comet and DNA fragmentation assays. Fipronil and carvacrol caused hemolysis at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2.0%, whereas acetylcarvacrol did not cause hemolysis at 0.5 and 0.75%. Fipronil and carvacrol caused severe alterations in erythrocytes' morphology at 2%, such as ghost erythrocytes, elliptocyte-like shape and rouleau-like shape, presenting only 3.3 and 8.3% normal cells, respectively, at this concentration. However, 73.3% erythrocytes incubated with 2% acetylcarvacrol exhibited normal morphology. Fipronil considerably reduced leucocytes viability, decreasing it to 78% at 2%. Carvacrol and acetylcarvacrol showed no differences in leucocyte viability for 0.5 to 1.0%, but a decrease was observed for 2% carvacrol. The comet assay showed similar DNA damage for fipronil and carvacrol, but it was significantly lower for 1 and 2% acetylcarvacrol. Incubation with genomic DNA showed that only fipronil caused fragmentation of this molecule. Thus, we conclude that carvacrol and fipronil can present similar toxicity at higher concentrations. However, acetylation of carvacrol significantly reduced its toxicity to human blood cells compared with the other chemicals. |
