Screening of Toxic Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides with a Focus on Acetamiprid: A Review

Abstract

Recently, neonicotinoids have become the fastest-growing class of insecticides in conventional crop protection, with extensive usage against a wide range of sucking and chewing pests. Neonicotinoids are widely used due to their high toxicity to invertebrates, simplicity, flexibility with which they may be applied, and lengthy persistence, and their systemic nature ensures that they spread to all sections of the target crop. However, these properties raise the risk of environmental contaminations and potential toxicity to non-target organisms. Acetamiprid is a new generation insecticide, which is a safer alternative for controlling insect pests because of its low toxicity to honeybees. Acetamiprid is intended to target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects, but its widespread usage has resulted in negative impacts on non-target animals such as mammals. This review summarizes in vivo and in vitro animal studies that investigated the toxicity of specific neonicotinoids. With summarized data, it can be presumed that certain concentrations of neonicotinoids in the reproductive system cause oxidative stress in the testis; spermatogenesis disruption; spermatozoa degradation; interruptions to endocrine function and Sertoli and Leydig cell function. In the female reproductive system, acetamiprid evokes pathomorphological alterations in follicles, along with metabolic changes in the ovaries.

Role of IRE1α/XBP1/CHOP/NLRP3 Signalling Pathway in Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid-Induced Pancreatic Dysfunction in Rats and Antagonism of Lycopene: In Vivo and Molecular Docking Simulation Approaches

“…IMI-induced oxidative damage resulted in increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation [9]. Additionally, pancreatic β cells are susceptible to oxidative stress because of their minor antioxidant capacity and high endogenous ROS production, which results in irreversible damage, mitochondrial malfunction, and subsequent apoptosis [8]. Singh et al (2020) elucidated that LYC supplementation upregulated the expression of the genes that code for antioxidant enzymes and downregulated those for oxidation of lipids, and consequently exhibited its antioxidative capacity [38].…”

“…Nevertheless, over time, the trigger chaperones play a role in ER protein folding, and as ER stress develops, the ER's capacity to fold proteins becomes unable to manage many unfolded and misfolded proteins. Consequently, ER homeostasis cannot be restored [8]. Misfolded proteins, particularly in the β cells and throughout the exocrine component of the pancreas, lead to malfunction in these regions.…”

“…Various studies have suggested that the main mechanism of IMI toxicity is oxidative stress combined with inflammation [6,8]. Recent experiments have shown that the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in linking β cell dysfunction and inflammation through its pyroptotic function, which leads to cellular swelling, plasma membrane rupture, and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β [9].…”

“…In the presence of abnormally folded or unfolded proteins, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) directs these proteins to the cytoplasm, where they are eliminated via an ER-associated degradation process (ERAD) [4]. However, in states like inflammation and oxidative stress, the ER may not be able to cope with the levels of damaged proteins, thus triggering ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR), which in turn activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, causing cell pyroptosis [4][5][6]8]. This process has been associated with neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus.…”

Insight into Olfactory Learning, Memory, and Mortality of Apis mellifera jemenitica after Exposure to Acetamiprid Insecticide

“…Acetamiprid is a broad-spectrum neonicotinoid frequently used against agricultural pests and acts on nicotinic cholinergic receptors in insects [5,33]. Acetamiprid also has negative impacts on non-target organisms including honey bees [34]. It exhibits high toxicity to honey bees and can affect the central nervous system of bees, resulting in paralysis and death [35,36].…”