Differential cytotoxic effects of azadirachtin on Spodoptera frugiperda and mouse cultured cells

• Published in: Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 1998-12, Vol.89 (3), p.215-221
• Main Authors: Reed, E. (Lafayette Coll., Easton, PA (USA). Dept. of Biology), Majumdar, S.K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AZADIRACHTIN; AZADIRACHTINE; Biological and medical sciences; CELL CULTURE; cell multiplication; Chemical control; Control; CULTIVO DE CELULAS; CULTURE DE CELLULE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; MICE; murine erythroleukemia cells; neem; Noctuidae; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Protozoa. Invertebrates; RATON; scanning electron microscopy; SOURIS; SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA; Spodoptera frugiperda cells; TOXICIDAD; TOXICITE; TOXICITY
• ISSN: 0013-8703; 1570-7458
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1570-7458.1998.00402.x

Azadirachtin is a natural biopesticide extracted from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica); however, its safety to mammals is not well documented. This study examined the influence of azadirachtin on the proliferation and morphology of Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells (SF‐9), and mouse erythroleukemia cells (MEL‐GM 86). Cell kinetic studies conducted at 24 h intervals for 144 h showed that azadirachtin treatments (0.05, 0.20 and 0.50 μg/ml) inhibited cell multiplication of the SF‐9 cells. This inhibitory effect was dose dependent. Conversely, azadirachtin at 30 μg/ml did not reduce MEL‐GM 86 cell proliferation. SF‐ 9 cells displayed an increase in cell swelling and cell abnormalities after 48 h of treatment with azadirachtin, whereas no such changes were detected in MEL‐GM 86 cells. A scanning electron microscope study revealed that treatment with an azadirachtin concentration as low as 0.10 μg/ml induced cell swelling and caused distortions on the cell surface ultrastructure of SF‐9 cells characterized by blebbing and holes after 48 h of treatment. However, these effects were not seen in the azadirachtin‐treated MEL‐ GM 86 cells.