Gold ash vs. gold nanoparticles
“Because of our special interest in the suitability of pure gold nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and treatment, we explored the way gold ash interacts with human cancerous and non-cancerous cells, in comparison with chemically synthesized gold nanoparticles,” Packirisamy says.
When the research team put the cells under the microscope — employing scanning electron microscopy and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) — they were surprised to discover gold ash particles were entering human cells.
The gold ash particles are relatively large. Still, they were entering cells and accumulating in their vesicles and in cytosol, outside the nucleus.
“Gold ash was even able to reach the nucleus, under certain conditions,” says Packirisamy. “We found that larger Swarma bhasma particles entered cells via the cell membrane to form a pocket, which then pinches off into the cell to form a vesicle.”
Regular gold nanoparticles can do that too, he notes, but the much larger size of the gold ash particles holds unique promise.
“This means gold ash can carry more weight than synthesized gold nanoparticles and they have the potential to be a better transport vehicle to take medicine into human cells,” he says.
“This study shows the potential of nanoparticles including Swarma bhasma to cure many diseases by their controlled entry into cells.”
Packirisamy’s work bridges the gaps between engineering, biology and science, forging multidisciplinary collaborations. He has dedicated his life to the miniaturization of diagnostic tools used in health care to detect cancer and other illnesses that may be lurking in a person’s bloodstream.
“Our lab is interested in working with industry to translate our technologies into products of diagnostic and therapeutic value.”
Read the cited study: Comparative study on cellular entry of incinerated ancient gold particles (Swarna Bhasma) and chemically synthesized gold particles.