Organ-specific therapeutic nanoparticles generates radiolucent reactive species for potential nanotheranostics using conventional X-ray technique in mammals

New diagnostic strategy for the better management of diseases is the need of the hour. However, in most cases, these new diagnostic techniques are expensive and require trained expertise. To develop a cost-effective and easy technique, modification of some of the conventional diagnostic techniques can be useful. Here, we report the use of citrate-functionalized Mn 3 O 4 nanoparticles (C-Mn 3 O 4 NPs) as a targeted X-ray contrast agent for lungs and brain in mice model. While the bio-distribution of the NPs is reported earlier and found to be useful for the reversal of disorders in some specific organs, we report the direct observation of the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using X-ray induced radiolucency. Our detailed analysis on X-ray images of lungs in mice model reveals lower contrast compared to that of the control group indicating NPs induced ROS in the organs. Various lobes of NP-treated mice brain are also clearly visible compared to that of the control group.