Linuron is a phenylurea herbicide.1 It inhibits the androgenic effect of dihydrotestosterone in MDA-kb2 breast cancer cells (IC20 = 1.74 ?M in a reporter assay). Linuron (100 mg/kg) inhibits testosterone-induced growth of the seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, and levator ani and bulbocavernosus muscles in castrated rats.2 Post-emergent application of linuron to carrots controls the growth of the weeds redroot pigweed and lambsquarters.3 Formulations containing linuron have been used as herbicides in agriculture.
1.Orton, F., Rosivatz, E., Scholze, M., et al.Widely used pesticides with previously unknown endocrine activity revealed as in vitro antiandrogensEnviron. Health Perspect.119(6)794-800(2011) 2.Lambright, C., Ostby, J., Bobseine, K., et al.Cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of linuron: An antiandrogenic herbicide that produces reproductive malformations in male ratsToxicol. Sci.56(2)389-399(2000) 3.Bellinder, R.R., Kirkwyland, J.J., and Wallace, R.W.Carrot (Daucus carota) and weed response to linuron and metribuzin applied at different crop stagesWeed Technol.11(2)235-240(1997)