Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Prevention of pesticide-induced neuronal dysfunction and mortality with nucleophilic poly-Oxime topical gel.

Publication Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

October 1, 2018

Journal

Science advances

Volume/Issue

4/10

ISSN

2375-2548

Organophosphate-based pesticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which plays a pivotal role in neuromuscular function. While spraying in the field, farmworkers get exposed to pesticides through the dermal route. Internalized pesticide inhibits AChE, which leads to neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, cognitive dysfunction, loss of endurance, and death in severe cases. Here, we present a nucleophilic pyridine-2-aldoxime-functionalized chitosan-based topical gel (-Oxime gel) that rapidly deactivates organophosphates, methyl parathion (MPT), on the skin of rats, which leads to reduced AChE inhibition in the blood and tissues. Testing the robustness of -Oxime gel, we report reduction in AChE inhibition following repeated dermal administration of MPT in the presence of -Oxime gel. Furthermore, -Oxime gel prevented MPT-induced neuromuscular dysfunction, loss of endurance, and locomotor coordination. We observe a 100% survival in rats following topical MPT administration in the presence of -Oxime gel. This prophylactic gel may therefore help farmworkers by limiting pesticide-induced toxicity and mortality.

Alternate Journal

Sci Adv

PubMed ID

30345360

PubMed Central ID

PMC6192682

Authors

Ketan Thorat
Subhashini Pandey
Sandeep Chandrashekharappa
Nikitha Vavilthota
Ankita A Hiwale
Purna Shah
Sneha Sreekumar
Shubhangi Upadhyay
Tenzin Phuntsok
Manohar Mahato
Kiran K Mudnakudu-Nagaraju
Omprakash Sunnapu
Praveen K Vemula

Keywords

Oximes
Male
Survival Rate
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Administration, Topical
Insecticides
Methyl Parathion
Motor Activity
Neurotoxicity Syndromes
Animals
Organophosphate Poisoning