Transition metal sulfide nanoparticles are a source of attraction for different applications, especially in optoelectronics and catalysis, however, their uses in biomedicine are not well explored. To fill this vacuum, we have reported the different physical properties and biological applications of ZnS, MnS and NiS nanoparticles synthesized by a single precursor-based route. Techniques like p-XRD, UV–Vis, TEM and TGA were used to establish their physical properties, whereas, there in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic and hemolytic potential were studied. XRD pattern revealed a single pure phase and sharp peaks owing to the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. TEM images indicated a different morphology (spherical to cube like) while the size of the nanoparticles was in the order of ZnS (6.5 nm) < MnS (13–24 nm) < NiS (50–90 nm). Antimicrobial potential was established using well-diffusion assay across different concentrations (250 µg/mL to 4 mg/mL). It was observed that the MnS nanoparticles inhibited all of the bacterial strains in the up to 500 µg/mL, however, at 250 µg/mL, 7 and 6.5 mm inhibition zones were revealed for B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively, while the other strains revealed no susceptibility. NiS nanoparticles inhibited S. epidermidis across all the tested concentrations and revealed inhibitory zones from 10 to 6.5 mm across 4 mg/mL to 250 µg/mL. As compared to the antibacterial properties, it was observed that the metal sulfides revealed excellent antifungal potential. All of the tested fungal strains revealed zones of inhibition across the tested concentrations of MnS, NiS and ZnS. Furthermore, the highest concentration i.e. 4 mg/mL revealed high potency then positive control in some cases for example the NiS revealed zone of 20 mm as compared to the 13 mm of antibiotic for A. niger. DPPH free radical scavenging potential was found as MnS-NPs > NiS-NPs > ZnS-NPs. Brine shrimp lethality and hemolysis assays revealed cytotoxic and hemolytic nature which decreased in a dose dependent manner. Our insights into the application of metal sulfide nanoparticles reveals promises, however, we strongly encourage studies on the mechanistic aspects as well as their toxicity in vivo.

过渡金属硫化物纳米粒子是不同应用的吸引力来源，特别是在光电子和催化领域，然而，它们在生物医学中的应用还没有得到很好的探索。为了填补这一真空，我们报告了通过单一前驱体途径合成的 ZnS、MnS 和 NiS 纳米颗粒的不同物理特性和生物学应用。使用 p-XRD、UV-Vis、TEM 和 TGA 等技术来确定它们的物理特性，同时研究了体外抗菌、抗真菌、抗氧化、细胞毒性和溶血潜力。由于纳米颗粒的结晶性质，XRD 图显示出单一的纯相和尖峰。TEM 图像显示出不同的形态（球形到立方体），而纳米颗粒的尺寸为 ZnS (6.5 nm) < MnS (13–24 nm) < NiS (50–90 nm)。使用不同浓度（250 µg/mL 至 4 mg/mL）的良好扩散试验确定了抗菌潜力。观察到 MnS 纳米颗粒抑制了高达 500 µg/mL 的所有细菌菌株，然而，在 250 µg/mL 时，7 和 6.5 mm 的抑制区被显示为B. subtilis和E.coli分别是，而其他菌株没有显示出易感性。NiS 纳米颗粒在所有测试浓度下均抑制表皮葡萄球菌，并在 4 mg/mL 至 250 µg/mL 范围内显示出 10 至 6.5 mm 的抑制区域。与抗菌性能相比，观察到金属硫化物显示出优异的抗真菌潜力。所有测试的真菌菌株在 MnS、NiS 和 ZnS 的测试浓度中都显示出抑制区。此外，在某些情况下，最高浓度即 4 mg/mL 显示出高效力，然后是阳性对照，例如 NiS 显示的区域为 20 mm，而黑曲霉的抗生素为 13 mm. DPPH 自由基清除潜力被发现为 MnS-NPs > NiS-NPs > ZnS-NPs。盐水虾致死率和溶血试验揭示了以剂量依赖性方式降低的细胞毒性和溶血性。我们对金属硫化物纳米粒子应用的见解揭示了前景，然而，我们强烈鼓励对机械方面的研究以及它们的体内毒性。