Evaluation of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity induced by the commercial insecticide ZEUS® and its active ingredients in different biological models

The widespread use of commercial pesticide formulations, such as ZEUS® (a combination of dinotefuran and lambda-cyhalothrin), in agriculture necessitates rigorous evaluation of potential adverse biological impacts. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytotoxic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic effects of exposure to ZEUS®. Phytotoxicity parameters involved using <i>Lactuca sativa</i> and <i>Cucumis sativus</i> to measure seed germination and root elongation. Treatment of <i>L. sativa</i> with dinotefuran, lambda-cyhalothrin, and ZEUS® significantly reduced root, hypocotyl growth and germination rates, with LC₅₀ of 3650, 1775, and 1500 µg/ml, respectively. In contrast, dinotefuran and ZEUS® exhibited no marked phytotoxic effects on <i>C</i>. <i>sativus</i>, while only lambda-cyhalothrin was toxic with LC₅₀ of 1990 µg/ml. Mutagenicity was assessed using <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> D7, while <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> mutant was used to determine DNA or cell division interference. No mutagenic effects or interference with DNA and cell division were observed under tested conditions. Cytotoxicity employing MTT assay and flow cytometry was examined using mouse monocyte-macrophage J774A.1 cell line, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). ZEUS® induced cytotoxicity in J774A.1 cells, with a LC₅₀ of 139.10 µg/ml. However, no significant toxicity was noted with HUVEC cells for ZEUS® and other compounds. Viability or glutathione (GSH) levels, measured by the DTNB assay using HUVECs exhibited no cytotoxicity. In conclusion, ZEUS® demonstrated higher cytotoxicity for J774A.1 cells and <i>L</i>. <i>sativa</i> seeds with no apparent mutagenic potential in other cell models tested or cytotoxicity in HUVEC cells.