Cytotoxic Effect of Cypermethrin and Neem Extract on Human Lymphocytes
Asha Khanna1,2, Jyotsana Patel1,2, Bishal Tiwari1,2, Saurabh Pagare1,4, Daya Shankar Gautam*1,3 and Vineeta Ratoniya1,21AVIKA, Biological Research foundation, Jabalpur (M.P.) 482001, India.
2Department of Zoology and Biotechnology, Govt. Science College, Jabalpur (M.P.) 482001, India
3Department of Zoology, St. Aloysius’ College, Jabalpur (M.P.) 482001, India
4Department of Biotechnology, Sarojini Naidu Govt. Girls P.G. College, Bhopal (M.P.) 462016, India.
Corresponding Author E-mail: dygautam@gmail.com
Abstract: There is a need to increase our agricultural production of food grains and other crops to feed a continuously increasing population. To achieve this food security, use of insecticides/pesticides has become necessary. Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide used for control of pests of cereals, fruits, vegetables and cotton etc. but it has several toxic effects on human beings. Apart from being neurotoxic, it has harmful effects on lymphocytes also. Neem is also a potent insecticide of herbal and indigenous origin. In this investigation the cytotoxicity of cypermethrin (dissolved in DMSO) and aqueous extract of neem leaves to human lymphocytes was studied by MTT assay. It was found that after an exposure of two hours to LC50 concentration of cypermethrin viability of lymphocytes fell to 87.83%; however at lower concentration the viability fell further because of the increase in the DMSO concentration, proving the toxicity of DMSO. Treatment of lymphocytes with 45% of neem extract increased the viability by 196% but at lower concentrations lesser increase was noted due to the increase in concentration of PBS. Thus apart from being a safe insecticide neem extract can be used to promote viability and proliferation of cells of animal origin also.
Keywords: Cypermethrin; Cytotoxicity; Lymphocytes; MTT Assay; Neem Back to TOC