Title:Evaluation of Decontamination Efficacy of Electrolytically Generated
Hypochlorous Acid for the Vesicating Agent: A Multimodel Study
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Author(s): Ajay Kumar Sharma, Sandeep Kumar Shukla*, Aman Kalonia, Priyanka Shaw, Kushagra Khanna, M. H. Yashavarddhan, Richa Gupta and Aseem Bhatnagar
Affiliation:
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organization, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054,India
Keywords:
CW agents, CEES, blister, HOCl, decontamination, DNA damage, necrosis.
Abstract: Background: Sulfur Mustard is a strong vesicant and chemical warfare agent that imposes
toxicity to the lungs, eyes, and skin after accidental or intended exposure.
Objectives: The current study was intended to explore in vitro and in vivo decontamination properties
of electrolytically generated HOCl (hypochlorous acid) against CEES (2-chloroethyle ethyle sulphide),
a known sulfur mustard simulant & vesicating agent.
Methods: in vitro studies were carried out using UV spectroscopy and GC-MS methods. In vivo studies
were performed in Strain A and immune-compromised mice by subcutaneous as well as prophylactic
topical administration of HOCl pretreated CEES. The blister formation and mortality were
considered as end-point. Histopathological study was conducted on skin samples by H & E method.
DNA damage studies measuring γ-H2AX and ATM have been carried out in human blood using flow
cytometry. Anti-bacterial action was tested by employing broth micro dilution methods. A comparative
study was also carried out with known oxidizing agents.
Results: The topical application of pre-treated CEES at 5, 30 min and 1 h time points showed significant
(p<0.001) inhibition of blister formation. DNA damage study showed reduced mean fluorescence
intensity of DSBs nearly 17-20 times, suggesting that HOCl plays a protective role against
DNA damage. Histopathology showed no sign of necrosis in the epidermis upto 5 min although moderate
changes were observed at 30 min. Pretreated samples were analyzed for detection of reaction
products with m/z value of 75.04, 69.08, 83.93, 85.95, 123.99, 126.00, and 108.97. HOCl showed a
strong bactericidal effect at 40 ppm. The absorbance spectra of HOCl treated CEES showed lowered
peaks in comparison to CEES alone and other oxidizing agents.
Conclusion: In a nutshell, our results signify the decontamination role of HOCl for biological surface
application.