In vitro and in vivo toxicity of pristine C60 fullerene aqueous colloid solution

Abstract

Toxicity of the C60 fullerene aqueous colloid solution in vitro and in vivo experiments was studied. C60 fullerene in the concentration range of 3.6–144 µg/mL demonstrated low toxicity against human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells with 383.4 μg/mL IC50 value. The acute toxicity of C60 fullerene in a dose progression (75, 150, 300, 600, 1200 and 1800 mg/kg) was investigated at 14th day after single intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration into mice. No toxic effect of С60 fullerene in the dose range of 75–150 mg/kg was observed; the calculated LD50 value was 721 mg/kg. The toxic effect of C60 fullerene was observed at a concentration of 300 mg/kg and higher, it was accompanied with mice behavior disturbance, hematotoxicity and pathomorphological changes in spleen, hepatic and kidney tissues. In mice treated with 600 mg/kg of C60 fullerene indices of inflammatory process were detected, whereas at 1200 mg/kg dose leukopoies and thrombocytopoies were found to be suppressed. Thus, C60 fullerene aqueous colloid solution in a dose range of 75–150 mg/kg is nontoxic and could be used for biomedical purposes.