Mini-review highlighting toxic effects of triflumuron in insects and mammalian systems

Pesticides have been used to kill pests such as insects, fungi, rodents, and unwanted plants. As these compounds are potentially toxic to the target organisms, they could also be harmful to human health and the environment. Several chronic adverse effects have been identified even after months or years of exposure. The adverse effects of pesticides on the agricultural ecosystem have been a matter of concern in recent decades. In this review, we present an overview of the studies, including our previous studies, monitoring currently used pesticides in the Tunisian agricultural soils that belong to the class of insect growth regulators (IGRs). Triflumuron (TFM) is a benzoyl phenyl urea insecticide belonging to the class of IGRs. TFM is widely used around the world to increase crop yield by protecting them from damage caused by insects. TFM works by inhibiting the synthesis of chitin, an essential part of the insect cuticle, making it susceptible to pathogens and deformities. Consequently, insects become more susceptible to pathogens and malformations. However, studies revealing its toxicity and its mode of action in mammalian systems remain very limited. The aim of this review is to better inform the community about the impact of TFM on crops, the environment, and human beings by summarizing its toxic effects.