Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo toxicity of pristine molybdenum disulphide nanosheets in Swiss albino mice

The Molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2-NSs) thin films has received increasing attention recently due to their versatile multi functionality including catalytic properties, photoluminescence and flexibility, which suggests their future, uses for biomedical applications. However, there are no studies in detail related with biocompatibility of MoS2 thin sheets. Here, weevaluated the dose-dependent effects of MoS2-NSs on cell viability (MTT assay) and release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into culture media using MG-63 cells, as well as haemolysis, hematological, serum biochemical, antioxidants and histopathological parameters in Swiss albino mice. The MoS2-NSs was synthesized via facile hydrothermal method and characterized using XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM and HRTEM. The in vitro study results suggest that at lower concentration MoS2-NSs does not causes any toxicity. The lethal dose (LD50) was evaluated by intraperitoneal administration with different concentrations and estimated as ~1.0 mg kg−1. The higher dose (1.5 mg kg−1) of MoS2-NSs showed significant alteration in hematological markers and serum biochemical enzymes, as compared to control. Lipid peroxidation also shows significant alteration with respect to the control. Histopathological, hematological and biochemical examination, revealed no remarkable changes at lower concentration (less than 1.0 mg kg−1), however, higher concentration (1.5 mg kg−1) causes significant histopathological, antioxidants and biochemical alterations in tissues and serum, respectively. The results suggest that the lower concentration of MoS2-NSs can be used in future biomedical applications. ### Competing Interest Statement Authors are thankful to UGC New Delhi for financially supported, CAS Department of Zoology and Physics, BHU, Varanasi, India. Authors are also thankful to DST, New Delhi, India for financial support under DST-PURSE (Scheme-5050).