RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have attracted significant attention due to their numerous potential applications. Due to their extremely small size, AuNPs have the ability to penetrate tissue and target immune cells, including lymphoid tissue.

According to a journal article from Airlangga University (UNAIR), the characteristics of AuNPs are valuable in applications such as immunotherapy, drug delivery, and anticancer therapy. Furthermore, AuNPs are also recognized as nanosensors, biomarkers, colorimetric sensors, antibacterial agents, and antioxidants.

However, conventional physical and chemical synthesis methods have drawbacks related to environmental impacts and potential hazards to human health, which limits their use in sensitive areas such as food and pharmaceuticals.

In response to the need for sustainable practices, researchers are now turning to more environmentally friendly methods for synthesizing AuNPs. One method gaining attention is the use of biological systems, including microbes, fungi, and plant extracts.

Synthesis processes using plants, such as horsetail (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), are gaining traction due to their ease of handling and the ability to control the size and shape of nanoparticles. Phytochemical compounds, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, play a crucial role in the reduction of gold ions, resulting in stable and biocompatible AuNPs.

Horsetail is a herbaceous plant commonly found in tropical regions and is known to possess a rich content of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols. These compounds have been extensively studied for their therapeutic potential.

This plant possesses a variety of properties, ranging from antacid and analgesic to anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, making it an important component in herbal medicine. This study is the first to introduce the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using horsetail leaf extract.

These findings not only highlight the potential of AuNPs as a valuable tool in cancer treatment but also emphasize the importance of environmentally friendly and economical synthesis methods for nanomaterials with biomedical applications. Thus, gold nanoparticles hold bright prospects in the development of more effective and safe cancer therapies.

The synthesis of AuNPs using horsetail leaf extract represents a breakthrough in terms of cost, speed, and safety, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals. Analysis showed that the resulting AuNPs possess remarkable anticancer properties, with promising IC50 values.