Gum Arabic as a Phytochemical Construct for the Stabilization of Gold Nanoparticles: In Vivo Pharmacokinetics and X-ray-Contrast-Imaging Studies

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have exceptional stability against oxidation and therefore will play a significant role in the advancement of clinically useful diagnostic and therapeutic nanomedicines. Despite the huge potential for a new generation of AuNP‐based nanomedicinal products, nontoxic AuNP constructs and formulations that can be readily administered site‐specifically through the intravenous mode, for diagnostic imaging by computed tomography (CT) or for therapy via various modalities, are still rare. Herein, we report results encompassing: 1) the synthesis and stabilization of AuNPs within the nontoxic phytochemical gum‐arabic matrix (GA–AuNPs); 2) detailed in vitro analysis and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies of GA–AuNPs in pigs to gain insight into the organ‐specific localization of this new generation of AuNP vector, and 3) X‐ray CT contrast measurements of GA–AuNP vectors for potential utility in molecular imaging. Our results demonstrate that naturally occurring GA can be used as a nontoxic phytochemical construct in the production of readily administrable biocompatible AuNPs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in nanomedicine. Image booster: Biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have potential in probing diseases at the cellular level via target‐specific molecular imaging. The nontoxic phytochemical gum arabic (GA) can be used to stabilize and label AuNPs with organ‐specific bioconstructs. The use of GA–AuNPs in swine models (see picture) demonstrates the application of hybrid AuNPs as contrast enhancers in the X‐ray‐mediated tomographic imaging of organs.