Wednesday 24 April 2013

Revolutionary Green Nanotechnology For Cancer And Tumors

After successfully developing biocompatible gold nano materials for medical applications, scientists are moving forward to use phytochemical substance present in plants and seeds for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles for treatment of cancer. This emerging technology is more popular among scientists as Green Nano Technology. Nano Technology in the form of Gold Nanoparticles is already in use in pharmaceuticals to fight cancer.

Now the scientists have taken a step forward by using Green Nano Technology. As the substances used in green nanotechnology are obtained from natural sources, it is foreseen as a safe and precise treatment for persistent cancer and tumor. Scientist at Department of Science and Technology, Dr. Ruckmani Arunachalam said, “In Nano Technology, nanoparticles are used for example bioactive molecule needs to be incorporated along with the drug molecule that we want along with the carrier.

For this material which is used as a carrier, we researchers are now trying to use only bio products. That is extracted naturally from plants. For example cumin, cinnamon, these are plant products. For example products obtained from tea. These are naturally obtained from plants. These are used as carrier so this is the Green Nano technology.” Till today Gold Nano particles have been used for cancer treatment. But it has certain limitations like these nanoparticles contain toxic chemicals which are unsafe for health. In Green Nanotechnology, extracts from herbs like Cinnamon-sweet wood "karuvapatta", Black tea, Cumin will be used in medicine. As it does not have any contaminated substance so there is no side effects. Dr. Ruckmani Arunachalam added, “It will be like any green revolution, like when we go for example Bio Pesticide, the same way all this which are naturally and not going to give any harm to human body. Because they are already naturally present. They are part of our food material. That we take, for example turmeric, it’s all part of the food we are taking and they have more bio activity. Naturally it has very good benefit compared to conventional ones.”

A research of University of Missouri in green nanotechnology says that Cinnamon and other species such as herbs, leaves and seeds will serve as a reservoir of Phytochemicals, which has the capability to convert metals into Nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are biologically rapidly active against cancer cell.

The common sources of Phytochemicals are pomegranate, curcumin, cumin seeds etc. Professor at the department of Biochemical Engineering& Biotechnology of IIT Delhi Dr. Prashant Mishra said, “In green nano technology the idea is that, we have to come up because whenever we talk about medicine it takes lot of efforts. It goes through different trials. So once these trials are complete it can come in the market. So the only limitation is that it requires long incubation before a drug comes in the market. The research is already on and it is definitely going to make a tremendous change in the way we are treating.” The research on applications of green nanotechnology in medicine is still on and it is expected to bring a revolutionary advancement in medical science.

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