title: An effective strategy for the synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles using cinnamon phytochemicals for phantom CT imaging and photoacoustic detection of cancerous cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to explore the utilization of cinnamon-coated gold nanoparticles (Cin-AuNPs) as CT/optical contrast-enhancement agents for detection of cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cin-AuNPs were synthesized by a "green" procedure, and the detailed characterization was performed by physico-chemical analysis. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies were carried out in normal human fibroblast and cancerous (PC-3 and MCF-7) cells, respectively. The efficacy of detecting cancerous cells was monitored using a photoacoustic technique. In vivo biodistribution was studied after IV injection of Cin-AuNPs in mice, and also a CT phantom model was generated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Biocompatible Cin-AuNPs were synthesized with high purity. Significant uptake of these gold nanoparticles was observed in PC-3 and MCF-7 cells. Cin-AuNPs internalized in cancerous cells facilitated detectable photoacoustic signals. In vivo biodistribution in normal mice showed steady accumulation of gold nanoparticles in lungs and rapid clearance from blood. Quantitative analysis of CT values in phantom model revealed that the cinnamon-phytochemical-coated AuNPs have reasonable attenuation efficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that these non-toxic Cin-AuNPs can serve as excellent CT/ photoacoustic contrast-enhancement agents and may provide a novel approach toward tumor detection through nanopharmaceuticals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, 301 Business Loop 70W, Columbia, Missouri, USA. chandan@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Nripen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chanda
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Ajit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zambre
authors.forename: Swapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mekapothula
authors.forename: Rajesh R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katti
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.forename: Genevieve M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fent
authors.forename: Stan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Casteel
authors.forename: Evan J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Boote
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Viator
authors.forename: Anandhi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Upendran
authors.forename: Raghuraman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kannan
authors.forename: Kattesh V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Katti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Q000737:chemistry; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D005347:Fibroblasts; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D006046:Gold