Abstract

Aims: Sulfur mustard (SM) is an alkylating and blistering agent that has readily reacts with a wide range of cellular macromolecules including DNA, RNA and protein. In this study, the effect of SM on cells viability and DNA fragmentation in the human fibroblastic cells was investigated. Methods: the HF2FF human skin fibroblast cell line were exposed to various concentrations of SM (180-1000 μM) and then incubated for 24 hours at standard condition. Then, the effect of SM was investigated by measuring percent of viable cells using gentian violet dye assays and DNA fragmentation by agarose gels electrophoresis and diphenylamine reaction. Results: Viability of the cells exposure to 180, 300 and 300 μM SM was 65, 42 and 16, respectively. DNA fragmentation was increased and represented a smear pattern on agarose gel electrophoresis after exposure to higher concentrations of SM (>180 μM). Conclusion: The effect of SM on viability and DNA damage is dose- dependent. At higher of SM concentrations (>180 μM), SM alkylates DNA, leading to DNA strand breaks and the nature of the DNA fragments produced suggested that necrotic form of cell death.