Cytotoxic Effect of As2S3 Nanoparticles on Liver Cancer Cells

As₂S₃ is playing an important role in the treatment and research for human cancer, but many limitations exist because of its form. We studied preparation method of As₂S₃ nanoparticles, a completely new form of medicine containing arsenic and explored their antitumor effect. As₂S₃ nanoparticles were prepared chemically and characterized by Transmission electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, flow cytometry assay, optical and electric microscopes were performed to examine the effect of As₂S₃ nanoparticles on liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells, compared with that of traditional As₂S₃ at various concentrations. Average diameter of As₂S₃3 nanoparticles prepared was 80 nm. EDS identified they were As₂S₃ with no other components. As₂S₃ nanoparticles greatly inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells by apoptosis, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The cell survival ratio of the As₂S₃ nanoparticles groups was much lower than that of traditional As₂S₃ groups at the same concentration and incubation time (p < 0.001), and the apoptotic rate significantly higher. Thus, As₂S₃ nanoparticles can produce a much better antitumor effect than that of traditional As₂S₃.