Diuron

Diuron is a phenylurea herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis by preventing the formation of ATP and NADH.¹ It decreases total respiration in roots of wheat by 50% and ground respiration by 100% when used at a concentration of 25 nM/ml.² Diuron (2,500 ppm, dietary) increases the incidence of urinary bladder urothelial carcinomas in male and female mice by 73 and 27%, respectively.¹ It increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma and BeWo human placental choriocarcinoma cells when used at a concentration of 200 µM and reduces viability of BeWo, but not MCF-7, cells when used at concentrations of 50 and 200 µM.³ Formulations containing diuron have been used to control broadleaf and grass weeds and as a biocidal antifouling agent.

WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

1. Da Rocha, M.S., Arnold, L.L., De Oliveira, M.L., et al. Diuron-induced rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis: Mode of action and human relevance evaluations using the International Programme on Chemical Safety framework. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 44(5), 393-406 (2014).

2. Lundegårdh, H. The influence of diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] on the respiratory and photosynthetic systems of plants. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 53(4), 703-710 (1965).

3. Huovinen, M., Loikkanen, J., Naarala, J., et al. Toxicity of diuron in human cancer cells. Toxicol. In Vitro 29(7), 1577-1586 (2015).