The nanopesticides are currently receiving great attention due to the several advantages reported for the use of nanoparticles. The study aimed to measure and evaluates the genotoxic effect of imidacloprid (I), nanoimidacloprid (IN), etofenprox (E) and nanoetofenprox (EN) on mice genome. Chitosan nanoparticles were used to prepare the nanoformulation of the two pesticides. Animals were divided into five groups and treated orally three times with interval period one week. The DNA fragmentation assay and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to evaluate the genotoxic effect of normal formulation and nano-formulation of imidacloprid and etofenprox on mice genome. The RAPD markers analysis showed that the imidacloprid and etofenprox in normal formulation and nano-formulation induced DNA alterations suggestive of genotoxicity in DNA genome screening compared to the control group which indicated to DNA damage at different molecular levels in treated groups. Estimation of the DNA damage by DNA fragmentation assay illustrated that the treated groups showed significant difference compared to the control. The nano-formulations of the two pesticides showed less DNA fragmentation compared to the normal formulation. The results revealed that the imidacloprid, nano-imidacloprid, etofenprox, and nano-etofenprox induced DNA alterations suggestive of genotoxicity. The obtained results showed that the nanoformulations of the pesticides used are less harmful to mammalians compared to the traditional formulations of the same conventional pesticides used, due to the nanoformulations containing chitosan, which is considered an antitumor agent. Nanoformulations, despite their improved efficiency, can enhance bioavailability and induce oxidative and genotoxic stress. Therefore, it can be said that the effect of nanoparticles on DNA is minimal, thus reducing the likelihood of genetic mutations. The results also indicate the potential use of nanoformulations of the tested pesticides as a less harmful alternative to traditional formulations for non-target organisms and environment.
Sabry et al. (Mon,) studied this question.