STUDY OF EFFECT OF MOSQUITO REPELLENT LIQUID ON RAT
Kamble, V. S.
Department of Zoology
Sangola College, Sangola, Dist. Solapur(MS)
Introduction
In most urban and
rural area of the country mosquito population are menacing throughout the year.
Mosquitoes are disease vector transmitting diseases such as malaria, filariasis
and many viral diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, dengue, yellow fever
etc. currently variety of repellents are
marketed in the form of coil, mat, vaporizers, lotions , buzzers electrocuting
device etc. These repellent contains Allethrin group of compounds marketing in
India well organized. So that many
brands can be found throughout the country. Repellents such as vaporizer and
herb are widely used in the country to combat mosquito nuisance and malaria.
Certain chemicals may affect through modulation of tissue microsomal mixed
function oxidase that metabolize endogenous substances like steroid hormones
and xenobiotics leading to drug interaction and possible toxicological
consequences (Hodgson and Levi, 1994; Gibson and skett, 1994; Hoyumpa and
Schenker, 1983).
Mostly in repellents synthetic pyrethroids are used. These
insecticides are heat stable and used in the treatment of mat coil, and
vaporizer includes allethrin, d- transallethrin, S-bioallethrin etc. on heating
and burning of mat and liquids these compounds vaporize without decomposition
at temperature up to 4000C and produce repellent action on the mosquito. Pyrethroid insecticides have
been used for more than 40 years in view of their wide availability, and
accounts for 25% of the world insecticide market (Kakko et al., 2003, Shafer et
al., 2005). Available literature suggest that indoor pyrethroid exposure is of
considerable magnitude in India and other countries including United states
(Bateman, 2000; Pankaj and Prahlad, 2004; Narahashi, 2000). No much relevant data or considerable
literature are available on the chronic toxic effect of the compound in humans
(Pankaj and Prahlad, 2004; Kolaczinski and Curtis, 2004; Mishra and Singh,
2003).
Allethrin is a synthetic anologue of the natural pyrethrum
insecticides obtained from the flowers heads of the plant Chrysanthenium cinerariafollium known to be act by immobilizing the
insect nervous system through poisoning of its nervous system (Craig and
Stitzel, 1987). Allethrin biodegraded by the environment after time in an
indoor and outdoor situation. The
longitivity of allethrin in the environment varies from 1-2 hr in the
atmosphere to less than 8hr in an aqueous environment. Allethrin will be breakdown in to water, Co2
and other carbon based material. (www.thermocel.com). Chemical induced organ toxicity may manifest as tissue or organ
damage and derangement of cellular metabolism, culminating in cell death and
subsequently, organ failure (Gaw et al., 1998).
Considering these view present study was conducted to know about
effect of mosquito repellent on different organs, biochemical changes and
histopathology in rat which is correlated to various human health hazards.
Human Health hazard due
to mosquito repellents
There is pucacity of information concern the effects on human
health due to prolonged and long-term use of allethrin. (Pankaj and Prahlad,
2004; Kolaczinski and Curtis, 2004; Mishra and Singh, 2003).
Allethrin a type-1-pyrethroid is among the top few commonly used
insecticides having maximum human exposure for prolonged period as it is used
as chief component of mosquito repellent (Anvita et al., 2006; Tsuji, et al.,
2002). Pyrethroids are lipopholic in nature responsible for various pyrethroid
induced toxicity (Narahashi, 1996).
The main site of action of
the pyrethroids is the sodium channel, which is kept open for long period of
time, causing prolonged sodium current to flow, leading to hyper excitation, of
the nervous system. (Narahashi et al.,
1992). Synthetic pyrethroids like allethrin cause subnormal or super-normal
excitability affecting the sodium channel opening time (Cheng et al., 1992).
Many researchers are now providing data on the harmful health
hazards due to repellents used against mosquito.Liu and Sun (1998) reported
that mosquito coils containing aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons which are
combustion product of wood, dist, filler and dyes in the mats. Gupta et
al.,(1999) reported allethrin used in the mat and vaporizer increases blood
brain barrier and biochemical changes
causing health risk, especially at early age. Narendra et al., (2008) Studied, allethrin
induced biochemical changes in erythrocyte membrane of human. They noticed reduction in phosphotidyl serin
(PS) in human blood. They have also reported decrease in membrane cholesterol.
Total phospholipid concentration and membrane lipid peroxidation. Sharma (2001) in his study reported repellents
are harmful to human health. In his stydy 11.8 % people using various types of
repellent complained of ill health effect.
Mennon and Hanker (1998) stated
that repellents could lead to running noise and wheezing, prolonged used could
lead to corneal damage, asthama and liver damage. Diel et al., (1999) reported
the immunotoxic properties of s-bioallethrin caused by inhibiting lymphocyte
proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Moya
–Quiles et al., (1995) suggested a possible insertion and aggregation of
allethrin in the lipid bilayer of model membrane creating special domains with
consequent increase in membrane instability and allethrin induced fluizing
effect. They also noticed that allethrin
modified bilayer order (Moya-Quile et al.,1995)
Material and method
Mosquito repellent containing allethrin 0.88% (Good Knight) was
selected for the study. Adult rat (Rattus
rattus) weighing about 200-250 gm
made available from the godown nearby Sangola. The collected rats were divided
in three groups each having 5 individuals kept in steel cage and feed with
pelleted food during winter and summer. 1st group is assigned as control group, 2nd
group as test group for 8 hr exposure to 0.88 % allethrin inhalation and 3rd
group as test group for 24 hr for inhalation of allethrin 0.88 % for 30 days.
Blood sample for biochemical study were collected from all animals prior to
commencement of the studies and also at termination. From theses pooled sample
estimation of glycogen by De Zwaan and Zandee (1972), total protein by Lowry
(1951), total lipid by Barnes and Blackstock (1973). Simultaneously, for histopathological study
organs like liver, lung, kidney were pooled out from each group and fixed in
formaldehyde and dehydrated with alcohol. These tissues were cleared with xylem
and impregnated with paraffin wax and sections cut and stained with
haematoxylen and eosin, and mounted on slides for light microscopic
examination. For study of formulations available in the market, personnel
interview with chemists and druggist of Sangola Dist. Solapur Maharashtra
state have been carried out.
Results
Study of effect of
Mosquito repellent inhalation on some organs of rat:
There were no significant
difference in the mean body weight between control and inhaled animals. The effect of inhalation of repellent on some
organs weights at termination are shown in table No. 2. When compared to
control wet-weight. The lung, and kidney showed decrease in weight but there
was very little change in weight of liver.
Table:- No. 1. Effect
of mosquito repellent liquid inhalation on organs weight of rat at termination
of experiment after 30 days of exposure to allethrin (0.88% ).
|
|
Weight of organs (Wet-weight) in gm.
|
|
Organ
|
Control group
|
Test group
8 hrs of exposure
|
Test group
24 hrs of exposure
|
|
Kidney
|
1.54±0.06
|
1.48±0.09
(3.89%)
|
1.41± 0.05
(8.44%)
|
|
Lung
|
1.80±0.04
|
2.32±0.07
(28.88%)
|
2.53± 0.1
(40.55%)
|
|
Liver
|
8.12±0.23
|
8.16±0.25
(0.49%)
|
8.22±0.15
(1.23%)
|
Values are expressed as means ± SD. Of n=5,
Values
in parenthesis represents percent
Study of effect of
mosquito repellent liquid on biochemical composition of rat.
Table No. 2. Effect of
mosquito repellent liquid inhalation on serum biochemical constituents of rat
at termination of experiment after 30 days of exposure to allethrin(0.88).
|
Parameters
|
Control group
|
Test group
(8 hr)
|
Test group
(24 hr)
|
|
Blood glucose
|
64.34
|
61.23±0.11
(4.83%)
|
59.05±0.17
( 8.22%)
|
|
Cholesterol
|
112.67
|
105.72±0.23
(6.16%)
|
103.97±0.2
(7.72%)
|
|
Total protein
|
280.27
|
237.13±0.12
(15.39%)
|
212.54±0.22
(24.16%)
|
Values
are expressed as means ± SD. Of n=5
Values
in parenthesis represents percent
Study of mosquito repellent liquid
inhalation on histopathology of rat:
Histopathological study of
different organs like liver kidney and lung have been carried out during
chronic exposure to allethrin 0.88 % for 8hrs and 24 hrs daily for the duration
of 30 days. The lung showed inflammatory
response, septa thickening and consolidation in alveolar areas, in contrast to
normal bronchiolar epithelial wall and normal alveolar areas of lung of control
group.
In liver
histological structure of control group showed normal hepatocytes. Whereas, rat
exposed to mosquito repellent liquid (Allethrin 0.88%) for 8hr and 24 hrs
exposure for 30 days group showed
morphological changes of liver characterized by proliferation of cells when
compared with control. Histopathological
structure of kidney did not showed any change in both 8 hrs and 24 hrs of
exposure of allethrin 0.88% for 30 day of exposure to rat (Rattu
rattus) when compared with histopathological structure of kidney control.
Discussion :
Results obtained from experiment fo study of effect of mosquito
repellent on rat shoed that the allethrin vapour inhalation caused change in
weight of organs like kidney, lung and liver. Present study also showed effect
on biochemical parameters including protein, glucose and cholesterol. Liu and
sun (1987), exposed rats to the mosquito coil smoke for 60 days resulted in
focal delication to tracheal epithelium, metaplasia of epithelial cells and
morphological alterations of alveolar macrophages. Okine et al, (2004) reported
decreased in lung and plasma biochemical parameter but not in kidney from
albino rat due to mosquito coil. They further stated that smoke affect on
tissue microsomal mono-oxygenase activities. Which are likely to affect the
metabolism of the other xenobiotes and hence cause drug interaction. In present
investigation similar might be the case where decrease in biochemical
constituents have been observed.. Maximum decrease in protein level followed by
cholesterol and blood glucose have been observed in both treated groups (8 hrs
and 24 hrs) after 30 days of exposure to allethrin (0.88%).
Histopathological
studies of liver, lung and kidney in the rat indicated that lung was severely
affected by inhalation of allethrin for 30 days in both the test groups. It has
been also observed that kidney did not showed major damge to tissue. The lung
tissue of both the test group showed
thickening of bronchiolar epithelial wal, alveolar wall, thickening of septa
and consolidation in alveolar areas in 8hr and 24 hrs treated groups of rat for
30 days. Similar observations have been
reported by Okine, et al., (1985) Tong et al., (1983). They stated that damage
to clara and alveolar cells of lung with concomitant reduction in some
mono-oxygenase activities and increase in lung wet-weight. Similar might be true about present investigation
where wet-weight of lung was increased more than in kidney and liver. In
animals and man, the liver is the organ responsible for general metabolism including biosynthesis of
protein. In present investigation due to inhalation of allethrin 0.88% for 30
day in both the treated groups showed histopathological alterations which
affect the normal function of liver. Damage to hpatic cell indicated by gross
morphological changes includes infiltration of liver and proliferation. Kidney
is the most important organ involved in excretion of metabolic wastes,
like urea and creatinine.in the present
study due to prolonged exposure to mosquito repellent liquid allethrin 0.88 % showed
little damage to kidney tissue as compare to lung and liver. It is also observed that wet-weight of kidney did not increased more
as compare to the lung and liver.
Table No. 3. Report of various kinds of mosquito repellents
available in the market
|
Sr. No.
|
Formulation
|
Trade name
|
Main Ingredient
|
Mode of application
|
|
1.
|
Cream
|
Odomass
|
N-N Diethylbenzamide
|
Directly applied on body
|
|
2
|
Good knight
|
N-N Diethylbenzamide
|
|
3
|
Liquid Vaporizer
|
Good knight
|
Prallenthrin 1.6%
|
Emit fumes when heated
|
|
4
|
All out
|
Transfluthrin 1.66%
|
|
5
|
Total
|
Transfluthrin 0.88%
|
|
6
|
Good knight silver
|
Transfluthrin 0.88%
|
|
7
|
Mortin power guard
|
Transfluthrin 0.88%
|
|
8
|
Coil
|
Mortin power guard
|
D-transellethrin 0.1%
|
Releases smoke on burning
|
|
9
|
Good knight
|
Allethrin 0.2%
|
|
10
|
Maxo
|
D-transellethrin 1.0%
|
|
11
|
Tortoise Lazer
|
D-transellethrin 1.0%
|
|
12
|
Sweet dream (Herbal)
|
Neem, Tulasi,
peppermint, citronella
|
|
13
|
Marigold (Herbal)
|
Marigold, Neem,
Tulasi,lime grass
|
|
14
|
Dhhop (Herbal)
|
Neem, tulasi, gober,
|
|
15
|
Mat
|
Mortin
|
Prellethrin 1.0%
|
Emit fumes when heated
|
|
16
|
Good Knight
|
Prellethrin 1.00%
|
|
17
|
All out
|
Prellethrin 1.00%
|
|
18
|
Spray
|
Hit
|
D-transmelathion 0.25%
|
Noxious fumes in the spray
mist
|
|
19
|
Deltamethrin
|
Allethrin 1.30%`
|
|
20
|
Baygon (Allout)
|
Cyfulthrin 0,025%,
transfulthrin 0.04%
|
Personal Interview with seller and some repellent user it has been
observed that presently, coils and liquid mosquito repellents are used in large number as mosquito repellents.
Conclusion :
The in conclusion, the inhalation of mosquito repellent by rat
caused selective damage to lung and liver. Kidney was not severly affected by
inhalation of mosquito repellent. It is
possible that prolonged or chronic exposure/inhalation of mosquito repellent
liquid in human may also be harmful and this will be investigated and need
further study in this regard..
Suggestions or
alternative measures to combat mosquito:
From the present study it has been observed that mosquito
repellent and other device are not suitable and safe for human health.
Considering this here I am going to suggest some safe alternative measures to
the use of chemical based mosquito repellents. These measures requires
personal, community and local bodies attention, which are as follows.
1. Good drainage: Proper gradient should be provided to eliminate
standing water in drains low-lying areas, pits burrows, ditches etc. periodical
de-slitting of drains befor the onset of monsoonto maintain steady flow.
2. Regular (Weekly) emptying
and drying of all standing water sources around houses.
3. Underground and over head water tank well etc will be sealed
properly to prevent entry of mosquito.
4. Larvi-vorous fishes should be released in ponds, lake, drains etc.
5. Personal protection includes use of mosquito net, wire mesh doors,
windows and ventilator can be used
6. Burning neem oil with kerosene would be cost effective alternative
to chemical repellent.
Acknowledgement:
I am very much thankful to University Grants Commission, Pune for
providing financial assistance to this research work (Minor Research Project).
I also thankful to Ex-Principal Dr. A. G. Pujari, In-charge Principal Dr. K. J.
Ingole sangola College, Sangola Dist. Solpaur (MS) and Prof. Gadekar V. S.
Head, Department of Zoology for providing necessary facilities for this
project.
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Thanking you, Your faithfully
(Dr.
Kamble V. S.)
