Gold nanoparticles (NPs) are used in electronics, healthcare products and as pharmaceuticals to treat cancer. However, the production of gold NPs requires the use of environmentally and biologically toxic agents, such as hydrazine and surfactants, to either reduce the metal salts or to stabilize the NPS.

Kattesh Katti and co-workers, University of Missouri, USA, have demonstrated that the phytochemical constituents of cinnamon are suitable reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of gold NPs from their precursor salts.

The NPs were shown to be biocompatible. Biodistribution results showed that they are effectively delivered to lungs with minimal distribution to other organs. This, and their signal enhancement properties could allow them to be used as imaging agents and for the detection of individual cancer cells.

• An Effective Strategy for the Synthesis of Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles Using Cinnamon Phytochemicals for Phantom CT Imaging and Photoacoustic Detection of Cancerous Cells
  N. Chanda, R. Shukla, A. Zambre, S. Mekapothula, R. R. Kulkarni et al.,
  Pharm. Res. 2010.
  DOI: 10.1007/s11095-010-0276-6