Lack of Mutagenic Activity of Sulfur Nanoparticles in Micronucleus Test on L5178Y Cell Culture

Abstract

The nature and physicochemical characteristics of nanomaterials affect their biological activity. Sulfur microparticles and sulphur nanoparticles have different levels of activity against bacterial, fungal, and animal cells. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) of about 70 nm in size were examined on the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell culture. The concentration of SNPs causing 50% cell death is 0.078–0.312 mg/mL. The micronucleus assay revealed no mutagenic properties of SNPs. Metabolic activation of SNPs by the rat liver microsomal fraction does not affect the toxicity. It is assumed that the mechanism of cytotoxic action is associated with the interaction of elemental sulfur with sulfhydryl groups of molecules inside the cell.