Analysis of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on E. coli, human blood cells and Allium cepa suggests a greater toxic potential of hair dye

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2016-02, Vol.124, p.248-254
• Main Authors: Maiti, Swati, Sasmal, Kankaayan, Sinha, Sudarson Sekhar, Singh, Mukesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allium cepa; Animals; Blood Cells - drug effects; Chromosomal aberrations; Chromosome Aberrations; Cosmetics - toxicity; Cytotoxicity; DNA Damage; Dye–DNA interaction; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Hair dyes; Hair Dyes - toxicity; Hemolysis; Humans; India; Meristem - drug effects; Micronucleus Tests; Mitotic Index; Mutagens - toxicity; Onions; Plant Roots - drug effects; Toxicity Tests
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.10.028

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are among the most important emerging environmental contaminants in recent time. PPCPs include wide range of cosmetics, among which hair dyes, are immensely popular in modern society. However, impact of hair dye and its residual discharged to the environment in relation to human health and ecological imbalance have not been widely studied. Based on the result of initial survey among the group of populations of eastern India, three most popular and commonly used permanent hair dyes are selected. Working sample of dye is prepared as recommended on the instructions booklet of the hair dye. The effect of three dyes is studied on Escherichia coli, human red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and Allium cepa bulbs by growth inhibition, hemolysis, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and A. cepa micronuclei assays respectively. The Lethal dose (LD) demonstrated significant differences among three dyes and the model systems. In vitro hemolytic assays performed on RBC, and MTT assays on WBC show the cytotoxic effects of hair dye. Significant growth inhibition of E. coli has also been noted. In addition, the root tips of A. cepa treated with the dye have shown major chromosomal abnormalities coupled with cell division retardation. Here low mitotic index confirm cell division retardation. Finally, results of in vitro studies of dye–DNA interactions demonstrate electrostatic interaction. Combing all these results it confirms that hair dyes are cytotoxic and may cause mutagenic effect on living cells irrespective of microbes, plant and animal system. [Display omitted] •Hair dye chemicals may show synergistic effect with environmental pollutants.•Cytotoxic effects of Hair dye on E. coli, human blood cells and Allium cepa root tips.•Cytological plates of dye treated onion roots demonstrates low subdued cell divion, Mitotic index and chromosome aberrations.•Integrity of genomic DNA and plasmid DNA get affected by dye–DNA interactions.