Background: Vector repellents are used globally to avoid insect bites and control transmission of diseases. It is important to ensure safety levels of these compounds, although they are noxious to insects. Vector repellents when used in combination are known to bring additional benefits in getting rid of the harmful insects. Unfortunately, the safety levels of various vector repellents such as Deet (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), Depa (N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide), and Deb (N,N-diethylbenzamide) are not studied in combination with the widely used pyrethroid deltamethrin (Del).
Materials and methods: In this study, safety evaluation of various vector repellents by oral route in combination with Del was studied by assessing body weight and organ weight changes, hematological parameters, and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats.
Results: The results revealed significant changes in liver marker enzymes in Del, Deb, Del + Depa, and Del + Deet groups. Urea levels were significantly altered after treatment with various repellents and in combination with Del, except Deb-alone group. Hematological and rest of the biochemical parameters were found to be unaltered in all the treatment groups. Significant changes in the liver weight were found in Deb, Depa, Deet, Del + Deb, and Del + Deet groups.
Conclusions: Taken together, the overall results of this study indicate that single, high oral dose of various insect repellents did not show any additive toxicity.
Keywords: Biochemical studies; Wistar rats; hematology; organ weight; pyrethroid; safety evaluation; vector repellents.