Nanomedicine Journal

Nanomedicine Journal

Revolutionizing cancer therapies: tin-doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles for oxidative stress mitigation and safe applications in mice models

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Tariq Aziz 1
Fazal Akbar Jan 2
Naimat Ullah 3
Haleema A Sadia 1
Hussian A Ahmad 4
1 Animal and Human Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, 45320 Pakistan
2 Department of Chemistry, Bacha Khan University Charsadda
3 Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, 45320 Pakistan
4 Department of Zoology, University of Malakand Chakdarra Dir lower, 18800 Pakistan
10.22038/nmj.2025.86892.2196
Abstract
Objective(s): Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field with broad applications across medicine, biology, chemistry, and engineering, largely due to nanoparticles' unique physical and chemical properties. In cancer treatment, nanoparticles offer significant potential for both diagnosis and therapy. This study synthesized tin-doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles (Sn-doped ZnS NPs) and undoped zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) to explore their therapeutic effects on the brain, kidney, and liver of mice.
Materials and Methods: The nanoparticles were synthesized using a wet chemical method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Biological evaluations were performed by administering ZnS and Sn-doped ZnS NPs to BALB/c mice. These assessments included measurements of organ weights, oxidative stress biomarkers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and histopathological analysis of key organs.
Results and Conclusions: Sn-doped ZnS NPs demonstrated enhanced structural and optical properties, along with significant antioxidant effects, without causing notable toxicity in vital organs. These findings suggest that Sn-doped ZnS NPs have strong potential for therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer treatment, and warrant further investigation to elucidate their mechanistic roles and long-term safety.
Keywords
Cancer
Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticles
Oxidative stress
Nanoparticles based therapy
Antioxidant Enzymes
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Nanomedicine Journal
Volume 13, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 134-147