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This study aimed to evaluate the anti-cancerous effect of molybdenum disulfide nanoflowers (MoS2-NFs) and berberine (BRB) in N-nitroso-N-methyl urea (NMU)-induced breast cancer in female rats. MoS2-NFs were synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal method, and their structural and morphological properties were characterized using PXRD, FESEM, XPS, BET, and Raman analysis. Computational studies further confirmed our experimental findings. Breast tumors were induced in rats by four doses of NMU (50 mg/kg) at an interval of 3 weeks. Oxidative stress markers, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, hormonal profiles, and inflammatory mediators were evaluated for chemo-preventive characteristics of MoS2-NF. Results of our study showed that MoS2-NFs (3 and 10 mg/kg) and BRB (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased the weight of the mammary gland and enhanced the antioxidant effect. Similarly, reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels showed the anti-cancerous potential of MoS2 NFs at 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and BRB 10 mg/kg, which was further confirmed by histopathological studies and DNA fragmentation proportion. Estrogen and progesterone levels significantly declined in combination treatment groups, whereas individual drug treatment groups also showed satisfactory results. Similarly, reduction in levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and kappa b in all treatment groups indicated test agent efficacy against inflammation and tumor infection. Furthermore, all mitochondrial respiratory complexes, particularly complex I and II + III, activated significantly after individual test substances treatment as compared to combinatory effect, while citrate synthase showed marked efficacy in combination treatment. In conclusion, MoS2 NFs and BRB showed attribution of anti-tumor potential towards mammary gland carcinoma. However, further studies are needed to assess its safety and efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A one-step, facile and scalable hydrothermal route was employed to synthesize molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflowers (NFs) for use in the photodegradation of Congo red (CR) dye. The phase purity, morphology, and structural features of the produced mesoporous MoS2-NFs were examined using PXRD, FESEM, EDX, XPS, BET, Raman and UV-visible DRS techniques. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms display a clear H3-type of hysteresis loop at P/Po of 0.8–1.0, which affords an insight into the mesoporous nature of the MoS2 NFs with a pore diameter of 1.5 to 40 nm. The mesoporous MoS2 NFs showed excellent CR degradation activity under solar light irradiation with a Kapp of 0.76 × 10−2 min−1. Importantly, the results showed a notable impact of reaction media on the degradation of CR suggesting that pH 7 is a favorable medium for this particular catalytic reaction. A kinetic study has illustrated that photodegradation of CR follows pseudo-first order kinetics. This work illustrates that mesoporous MoS2 NFs can be used as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of highly toxic and hazardous organic dyes in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]