A new approach for prevention the oxidations and mutations: zinc borate

Zinc borate is a white crystalline powder substance with variable composition (34% B 2 O 3 , 45% ZnO and 20% H 2 O). It is used as a fungus and mildew inhibitor, to fire proof textiles, and for other uses. Although there are limited studies about the biologic properties of this compound. The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of zinc borate and also to figure out its cytotoxic effect. Antioxidant activity of zinc borate was determined with β- carotene linoleic acid and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The mutagenicity and antimutagenic activity was determined with AMES/ Salmonella microsomal test systems using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. The cytotoxic effect of zinc borate was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using mouse fibroblast L929 cell line. When compared to the control, % inhibition values of 1 mg/mL zinc borate for DPPH radical scavenging and β- carotene linoleic acid tests were calculated as 13.50% and 30%, respectively. At the tested concentrations, zinc borate did not exhibit any mutagenic effect. Zinc borate exhibited low antimutagenic activity at 0.2 and 0.04 mg/plate concentrations on S. typhimurium TA98 strain while it exhibited no antimutagenic activity on S. typhimurium TA100 strain. In vitro toxicity against L929 cell line with IC 50 values of zinc borate were found to be 40.70 µg/mL and 32.93 µg/mL for 24h and 72h, respectively. In spite of the low DPPH free radical scavenging activity, zinc borate has found to have moderate total antioxidant activity besides low antimutagenic potential. Zinc borate has a potential to use for medical purpose with its antioxidative and antimutagenic properties.