COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A University of Missouri researcher has found that a common household spice could reduce toxic byproducts in the global fight against cancer.
Radiology professor Kattesh Katti is touting cinnamon as a non-toxic alternative to the harmful chemicals and acids commonly used to create gold nanoparticles. The tiny pieces of gold are used in cancer-fighting drugs as well as common electronics.
Katti's research team found that mixing gold salts with cinnamon produces the phytochemicals needed to fight deadly cancer cells. The finding continues his work into "green" uses of nanotechnology.
The Missouri study was recently published in the scientific journal Pharmaceutical Research.