Graphite Oxide Nanosheets Induce Dose-Dependent Mortality in Rats: LC50 Determination and Toxicity Analysis

Abstract

Graphite oxide nanosheets have emerged as promising candidates for a range of biomed- ical applications. In this preliminary toxicological study, forty healthy albino rats (8 to 12 weeks old, 200 ± 25 g) were used to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) of graphite oxide nanosheets(GON). The animals were obtained from Government College University, Faisalabad, and accli- mated for one week under controlled laboratory conditions housed in stainless steel cages with a 12-hour light/dark cycle, and given unrestricted access to filtered tap water and a standard rodentdiet. To estimate the LD50, the rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 5 per group). Following a six-hour fasting period, each group received a single intraperitoneal dose of GON at concentrations of 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 mg/kg body weight. This stepwise dosing approach enabled the identification of the dose causing 50% mortality, which was determined to be 9.5 mg/kg body weight. These findings provide important baseline data on the acute toxicity of graphite oxide nanosheets, offering valuable insights for future safety evaluations and risk assess- ments in biomedical nanotechnology.