Gold laced bio-macromolecules for theranostic application.

Gold nanostructures are promising entities for various biomedical applications, due to their promising physical and optical properties. They can be tailored in different sizes and shapes to play vital roles for photothermal therapy, Biosensing, in vivo X-ray/CT contrast etc. Many biomacromolecules have been used for chemical reduction of ionic gold into zero-valent metallic nanoparticles of specific shape/size followed by stabilizing them for long term utilization. This review will sum up a range of biomacromolecules including Alginate, Agarose, Starch, Carragenan, Cellulose, Chitin, Chitosan, Collagen, Cyclodextrins, Chondrotin Sulfate, Dextran Sulfate, Fucoidan, Gelatin, Guar Gum and Hyaluronic Acid, whose functionalities have been explored in combination with gold nanoparticles for various biomedical applications.