Journal Article

Acute, sub-acute and developmental toxicity studies of molybdenum disulfide nanoflowers in rats, as per OECD guidelines

Khan, Muhammad Imran, Khan, Aslam, Anwar, Fareeha, ullah, Haseeb, Akhtar, Muhammad Furqan, Hanif, Farina

2025

Overview

Background This study aimed to investigate the potential toxic effects of Molybdenum disulfide nano-flowers (MoS 2 NF), which have been suggested as a chemotherapeutic agent, but lack previous toxicity studies. Methods Acute, sub-acute and developmental toxicity studies were conducted following OECD guidelines 425, 407 and 414, respectively. Results In the acute toxicity study, female Wistar rats received logarithmic doses (1.75–550 mg/kg) of MoS 2 NF over 14 days. Results indicated a decrease in oxidative stress markers (CAT, SOD and GSH) and increased MDA levels, along with significant decrease in organ weight compared to normal control. Alterations in liver enzymes, CBC profile and lipid profile and histopathological analysis were observed in MoS 2 NF groups. Sub-acute toxicity (28-day at 3 and 10 mg/kg in both male and female rats) resulted in increased levels of ALT and AST, decreased levels of CAT, SOD and GSH and increased MDA and urea levels. Sperm analysis in male group showed increased motility and concentration, with more defective morphology. In developmental toxicity studies, a 10 mg/kg dose for 21 days decreased all oxidative markers except MDA, which increased. Fetal crown-to-rump length increased, while uterine SOD, CAT and GSH levels decreased. Histopathology revealed organ damage in both sub-acute and developmental studies. Maternal weight remained unaffected, whereas fetal weight showed an increased. Conclusion MoS 2 NF exhibited mild-to-moderate toxicity, however, long-term and studies are recommended to assess the safety and therapeutic potential of MoS 2 NF.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Acute toxicity / Animals / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Developmental toxicity / Disulfides - toxicity / Drug dosages / Enzymes / Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid / Female / Females / Fetuses / Guidelines / Histochemistry / Histopathology / In vivo / Lipids / Lipoproteins / Liver / Liver - drug effects / Liver - metabolism / Liver - pathology / Male / Males / Molybdenum / Molybdenum - toxicity / Molybdenum compounds / Molybdenum disulfide / Morphology / Nano-flowers / Nanoparticles / Nanostructures - toxicity / Organ weight / Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development / Oxidative stress / Oxidative Stress - drug effects / Pharmacology/Toxicology / Potassium / Rats / Rats, Wistar / Sodium / Sperm / Sub-acute toxicity / Toxicity / Toxicity Tests, Acute / Toxicity Tests, Subacute / Weight