Allethrin induces oxidative stress, apoptosis and calcium release. Allethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide is a major mosquito repellent agent.

Allethrin (125 μM) induces BCL-2, caspase-3 activation and release of intracellular calcium[1]. Morphological analyses of LC540 cells treated with Allethrin (125 μM) reveals the presence of apoptotic bodies. The percentage of cells displaying early apoptotic features increased significantly[1].

In male wistar rats aged 90 day,s Allethrin (25, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg; every day for 60 days) increased lipid peroxidation in the caput, cauda, and testes[3]. Significant increase in catalase activity was observed in the cauda obtained from 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg. GPx activity was significantly increased in the caput obtained from 150 mg/kg treated rats. In the cauda, it was found to be increased significantly in the 50 and 100 mg/kg treated groups. In contrast, the activity of GPx activity was significantly decreased in the testes of rats treated with 150 mg/kg. GST activity was found to be increased significantly in a dose dependent manner in the caput and cauda of allethrin treated rats[2].