title: Metallic nanoparticles and their medicinal potential. Part I: gold and silver colloids.
abstract: The article highlights the synthesis, properties and recent advances in therapeutic possibilities of metallic nanoparticles. Nanometallic structures that behave as drug-carrying agents, gene regulators, imaging agents and photoresponsive assemblies have been discussed in the context of cells and many debilitating diseases. These structures not only act as alternatives to molecule-based systems, but also possess new physical and chemical properties, which confer substantive advantages in medicinal field.
authors.affiliation: Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Loomba
authors.forename: Tiziano
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scarabelli
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D004337:Drug Carriers; D012834:Silver; D006046:Gold