In vitro cytotoxic, genotoxic and oxidative stress of cypermethrin on five fish cell lines

•Cypermethrin (CYP), a type II pyrethroid insecticide, is widely used in agriculture.•In vitro assay for the toxicity of CYP in IEG, CB, ICG, LRG and CSG cell lines.•The cytotoxic was assessed using MTT, NR, AB and CB assays.•DNA damage was assessed by comet in five cell line exposed to CYP.•Antioxidant parameters SOD, CAT, GSH and LPO were measured.

The indiscriminate use of pesticides and herbicides to enhance crop production has aroused great concern, because these products are likely to reach the aquatic environment, thereby posing a health concern for humans and aquatic species. Cypermethrin (CYP), a type II pyrethroid insecticide, is widely used in agriculture and for other purposes. Therefore a study was conducted for the assessment of cytotoxic, genotoxic and oxidative stress of CYP in IEG, CB, ICG, LRG and CSG cell lines at 24 h exposure. The cytotoxic effect of CYP in IEG, CB, ICG, LRG and CSG cell lines was assessed using MTT, NR, AB and CB assays. Linear correlations between each EC50 values, of CYP resulting in 50% inhibition of cytotoxicity parameters after 24 h exposure to CYP were calculated for IEG, CB, ICG, LRG and CSG cell lines using MTT, NR, AB and CB assays. Statistical analysis revealed good correlation with R2 = 0.90–0.939 for all combinations between endpoints employed. The percentage of DNA damage was assessed by comet assay in IEG, CB, ICG, LRG and CSG cells exposed to CYP. The results of antioxidant parameters obtained show a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and decreased level of GSH, SOD and CAT in IEG, CB, ICG, LRG and CSG cell lines after exposure to increasing CYP in a concentration-dependent manner. This work proves that fish cell lines could be used not only for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies but also for studying oxidative stress when exposed to environmental contaminants such as pesticides and other pollutants.

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