In vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of newly synthesised boron ionic liquids

In this study, new molecules containing boron were added to the family of ionic organic compounds, in particular, ionic liquids with a cationic center. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxic and genetic effects of a total of four newly synthesised borenium and borinium compounds on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro. Human peripheral lymphocytes were obtained from heparinised blood samples collected from healthy females aged between 29 and 32 years, with no history of exposure to toxic agents. The cytotoxicity was assayed via the MTT (3-(4.5-dimethylthiazole- 2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) tests; the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, via the micronucleus (MN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) tests. The results showed that the borenium compounds did not exhibit cytotoxic activity in the MTT and LDH tests even in high concentrations, the borinium compound did not exhibit cytotoxic effects in lower concentrations in vitro. The borenium compounds did not show genotoxic effects in SCE and MN tests. However, at a high concentration, borinium increased the micronucleus rate in comparison to the negative control group. The obtained results suggest that these newly synthesised cationic boron compounds can be used reliably in health, cosmetics or other industries, taking into consideration their types and concentrations.