Propoxur

Propoxur is a carbamate insecticide, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ = 4.3 µM), and an antagonist of α4β4 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (IC₅₀ = 165 µM for the rat receptor).^1,2 It is lethal to German cockroaches (B. germanica) with LD₅₀ values of 2.45, 4.73, and 1.06 μg per insect for newly emerged males, newly emerged females, and 4-week-old nymphs, respectively. Propoxur induces lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from and inhibits the growth of flounder gill cells (IC₅₀s = 86.59 and 89.96 μg/ml, respectively) via induction of necrosis.³ It also induces yolk sac and pericardial edema in zebrafish embryos when used at concentrations of 100 and 200 μg/ml. Propoxur (8.3 mg/kg) inhibits rat blood and brain cholinesterase, decreases ambulation and rearing in an open field test, and increases latency to escape foot shock after an audio stimulus in the two-way active avoidance box in rats.⁴ Formulations containing propoxur have been used in the control of insects in agriculture, as well as residential areas.

WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

1. Qian, K., Wei, X., Zeng, X., et al. Stage-dependent tolerance of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica for dichlorvos and propoxu. J. Insect Sci. 10(1), 201 (2010).

2. Smulders, C.J., Bueters, T.J., Van Kleef, R.G., et al. Selective effects of carbamate pesticides on rat neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and rat brain acetylcholinesterase. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 193(2), 139-146 (2003).

3. Pandey, M.R., and Guo, H. Evaluation of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and embryotoxicity of insecticide propoxur using flounder gill (FG) cells and zebrafish embryos. Toxicol. In Vitro 28(3), 340-353 (2014).

4. Thiesen, F.V., Barros, H.M.T., Tannhauser, M., et al. Behavioral changes and cholinesterase activity of rats acutely treated with propoxur. Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 79(1), 25-31 (1999).