Toxicokinetics of a single intraperitoneal and oral dose of prallethrin in mice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the toxicokinetic profile of orally and intraperitoneally administered prallethrin, which is frequently used as an environmental health drug. For this purpose, prallethrin was administered to 42 female 2-3-month-old BALB/c mice, each weighing 35-40 grams, at a dose of 2 mg/kg bw by intraperitoneal and oral route. The mice were randomly assigned to two groups, each of 21 animals. While Group 1 was administered 2 mg/kg bw prallethrin in dimethyl sulfoxide by intraperitoneal route, Group 2 received a single oral dose of 2 mg/ kg bw prallethrin in dimethyl sulfoxide. After the intraperitoneal and oral administration of prallethrin, intra-cardiac blood was drawn into heparinized tubes at certain periods. Plasma prallethrin concentrations were measured by gas chromatography using a micro-electron capture detector. The distribution profile was found to be consistent with the two-compartment open model. The plasma maximum concentration (Cmax), time to reach maximum concentration (tmax), half-life (t1/2β), mean residence time (MRT), area under the curve (AUC0→∞) and bioavailability (F) values for orally administered prallethrin were 3.66±0.78 ng/ml, 0.60±0.05 h, 10.20±1.24 h, 11.72±1.51 h, 15.19±4.43 ng/h. ml and 39.86%, respectively. For intraperitoneally administered prallethrin, the t1/2β, MRT and AUC0→∞ values were calculated as 7.46±0.54 h, 8.05±0.64 h and 38.10±5.80 ng/h.ml, respectively. The data obtained indicates that the oral bioavailability of prallethrin is lower than that of many other pyrethroids such as flumethrin and cypermethrin. Compared to some other pesticides in the same group, such as phenothrin, the half-life and mean residence time of prallethrin in the body are not short, when administered by both routes. The results obtained suggest that exposure to high doses of prallethrin may pose a risk of poisoning. In view of the toxicokinetic parameters determined, this study points out to the need for further studies to better understand the toxicity of prallethrin in mammals.