Optimizing X-Ray Imaging Using Plant Mediated Gold Nanoparticles as Contrast Agent: A Review

X-ray imaging has been a clinical practice for more than half a century, and the hydrophilic iodinated-based molecules are universally and continuously employed as contrast agents. However, a renewed interest in nanoparticles-based contrast agents has emerged with the promise of detailed imaging, and potential for therapeutic applications. Preclinical and clinical applications of nanoparticles are identified for a broad spectrum of imaging applications, with commentaries on the future promise of these materials. However, these nanomaterials contrast agents are not without issues, as the method of synthesizing the nanomaterials limits their applications as clinical contrast agents. The physical and chemical methods of synthesizing nanoparticles have been proven successful but not biocompatible due to the use of toxic chemicals, but, with the biocompatibility of biological substances such as microorganisms and plants, nanoparticles can be synthesized for applications in x-ray imaging.