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. 2025 Aug 25;26(1):153.
doi: 10.1186/s40360-025-00881-8.

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

Farina Hanif  1 , Aslam Khan  2   3 , Fareeha Anwar  1 , Haseeb Ullah  4 , Muhammad Furqan Akhtar  1 , Muhammad Imran Khan  1
Affiliations

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

Farina Hanif et al. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. .

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the potential toxic effects of Molybdenum disulfide nano-flowers (MoS2 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 MoS2NF 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 MoS2 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: MoS2 NF exhibited mild-to-moderate toxicity, however, long-term and studies are recommended to assess the safety and therapeutic potential of MoS2NF.

Keywords: Acute toxicity; Developmental toxicity; In vivo; Nano-flowers; Sub-acute toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration. Ethical approval: All the procedures and techniques used in this study were approved by the Ethical committee (REC/RIPS/LHR/2023/068) of Riphah International University, Raiwind Campus, Lahore. Pakistan. Consent to participate and consent for publication: Not applicable Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Effect of MoS2-NF (1.75 to 550 mg/kg) on Catalase levels in various tissues at the end of acute toxicity study. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***p<0.001 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Effect of MoS2 NF treatment on GSH levels in acute toxicity studies of different organs at different logarithmic doses. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***p<0.001 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Effect of MoS2 NF treatment on SOD levels in acute toxicity studies of different organs at different logarithmic doses. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***p<0.001, **P< 0.01 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Effect of MoS2 NF treatment on MDA levels in acute toxicity studies of different organs at different logarithmic doses. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***p<0.001, **p< 0.01 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Effect of MoS2-NF (3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) on Catalase levels in various tissues at the end of sub-acute toxicity study. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***p<0.001, **p< 0.01 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Effect of MoS2-NF (3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) on GSH levels in various tissues at the end of sub-acute toxicity study. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). **p< 0.01 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Effect of MoS2-NF (3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) on MDA levels in various tissues at the end of sub-acute toxicity study. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***p<0.001, **p< 0.01 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Effect of MoS2-NF (3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) on SOD levels in various tissues at the end of sub-acute toxicity study. Data represented as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). ***p<0.001, **p< 0.01 and *p<0.05 in comparison to control groups group
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Effect of MoS2 NF 10 mg/kg on oxidative stress markers in pubs (A) and in uterus of mother (B) in developmental toxicity studies
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Effect of treatment on sperm Motility and Concentration in Sub-acute toxicity. ***p < 0.001 and *p < 0.05 in comparison to control group
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Effect of treatment on sperm’s DNA integrity (A) and morphology (B) in Sub-Acute toxicity study
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
Effect of MoS2 NF on pubs’ organs in developmental toxicity study
Fig. 13
Fig. 13
Histopathological analysis of male and female rats’ organs in sub-acute toxicity
Fig. 14
Fig. 14
Represents histopathological changes of the maternal organs in developmental toxicity
Fig. 15
Fig. 15
Histopathology of different organs in acute toxicity study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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