Synthesis of nanobubbles for improved ultrasound tumor-imaging applications.

The present work showed the preparation of highly stable spherical nanobubbles using 3 mg/ml of soy lipid and 1% of Tween 80 as surfactant. The prepared nanobubbles were characterized using TEM and zeta-potential analyzer, which confirmed the formation of spherical nanobubbles with negative surface charge and high structural stability. The MTT cell viability studies confirmed that the fabricated nanobubbles were safe and nontoxic. Furthermore, the ultrasound imaging studies were performed to assess the improved imaging facility of the prepared nanobubbles. The in vitro studies exhibited that both the nanobubbles and SonoVue had a similar image enhancement capability. The in vivo studies revealed that nanobubbles exhibited an enhanced tumor intensity, which was stronger compared to that of Sono Vue. Therefore, the prepared nanobubbles could have potential for effective tumor imaging. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2019.