Abstract
The plant-derived insecticides have introduced a new concept in insecticide research. In response to
insect attack, some plants can release volatile compounds in the atmosphere, which are lethal for the
generalist insects. In this study, changes in the ultrastructure and electrical activity of mice sciatic
nerve were examined after acute exposure to dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), a sulfur compound released
from Allium porrum. Animals were exposed to 1/4 LC50 of DMDS (0.375 μl/l air) and tissue samples were
evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Degeneration in the myelin sheath and axon, decrease
in the number of microtubules and neurofilaments, and evident damage in the mitochondria were
observed. On the other hand, the effect of application of 1/4 LC50 of DMDS on the electrical activity of
the sciatic nerve in mice showed that the number and amplitude of most of the spikes were less than
that recorded in the control mice. The observed mammalian toxicity requires serious attention
regarding a possible use of DMDS for pest control.
Key words: Neuropathology, electrophysiology, dimethyl disulphide, sciatic nerve, mice. |
