Assessment of Potential Clastogenic Effect of the Insecticide Mospilan^® 20SP in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes After in Vitro Exposure

Acetamiprid, that is known as the commercial formulation Mospilan® 20SP is the part of the neonicotinoid insecticide group and is widely used against various pests. In our study we assessed the potential clastogenic effects of Mospilan® in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro using a chromosome aberration test. The lymphocytes were treated with acetamiprid in the concentration range of 5, 10, 25 and 50 µg.ml⁻¹ for 24 and 48 h. After 24 h exposure, the insecticide induced statistically significant higher levels of chromosome aberrations from the concentration of 10 µg.ml⁻¹ (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001) and a significant decrease in mitotic index (MI) at the concentrations of 25 and 50 µg.ml⁻¹ (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), respectively. After a 48 h exposure, we found a dose dependent increase in the percentage of chromosome aberrations at all concentrations (P < 0.05; P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) and a decrease in MI at concentrations of 25 and 50 µg.ml⁻¹ (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Our results indicated that neonicotinoid insecticide formulations containing acetamiprid may have potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects.