Fabrication of folic acid–cysteamine-modified silver nanoparticles as promising contrast agent for computed tomography imaging

The present work demonstrates the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Coffea arabica leaf extract. The AgNPs prepared by green route from C. arabica leaf were characterized through UV–visible, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive electron spectroscopy. Later, the prepared NPs were conjugated with cysteamine–folic acid and utilized as a contrast medium for in vitro targeted imaging of folic acid receptor-expressing malignant cells by computerized tomography (CT). At 80 kVp, the targeted cells exhibited CT values which were two times greater than that of the non-targeted cells. The results were compared with the folic acid-negative cell lines as well as the effective inhibition of folic acid receptor using free folic acid substrate. The outcome of the present study suggests that the fabricated cysteamine–folic acid-conjugated silver nanoparticles could be utilized as a potential contrast agent for molecular CT imaging. This information can be taken into consideration for applying AgNPs in enhancing radiation dose where nanoparticles containing greater X-ray attenuation were applied.