Genotoxic effects induced for sub-cytotoxic concentrations of tebuconazole fungicide in HEp-2 cell line

Tebuconazole (TB) is an active ingredient in formulations applied to control of fungal diseases in plants and classified as a possible human carcinogen. In the present study, the sub-cytotoxic concentrations of TB were evaluated for genotoxicity response in HEp-2 cell line. The HEp-2 cell line was exposed to 20, 40, and 50 μg/mL of TB in the Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay and 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL in the comet assay (CA). Both negative centromere micronuclei (MNC-) as DNA damage were induced by the concentrations of TB assayed, suggesting a mostly clastogenic effect. The results obtained from the comet assay suggest that part of the endogenous DNA damage in the HEp-2 cell line could be repaired in presence of low TB concentrations by promoting the damage response. In conclusion, exposition to sub-cytotoxic concentrations of TB induces genotoxicity in the HEp-2 cell line. Therefore, the safety of their application should be evaluated. [Display omitted] •Sub-cytotoxic concentrations of tebuconazole induce centromere negative micronuclei in binucleated HEp-2 cells.•Tebuconazole induces DNA damage in HEp-2 cells.•Lower concentration of tebuconazole reduces the DNA damage in HEp-2 cell line.•The oxidative stress was not detected in HEp-2 cell line exposed to sub-cytotoxic concentrations of tebuconazole.