A kit for providing a contrast enhancer in a mammal for contrasting during imaging of the mammal comprises functionalized gold nanoparticles configured to be directed to one or more of a target organ, tissue and lesion of the mammal.

Nanoclusters comprising inorganic nanocrystals and a biodegradable polymer are disclosed. The inorganic nanocrystals have a mean particle size of 1 to 500 nm. The inorganic nanocrystals are contained within a core of the nanoclusters, on the surface of the nanoclusters, contained within a core of the nanoclusters, dispersed throughout the nanoclusters, or a combination thereof. The biodegradable polymer allows the inorganic nanocrystals to be excreted renally over a period of time. The nanoclusters can be used for medical imaging or other biomedical applications.

Silica nanocarriers hybridized with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and curcumin through equilibrium or enforced adsorption technique. Methods for dual delivery of SPIONs and curcumin to a target for diagnosis or therapy, for example, for SPION-based magnetic resonance imaging or for targeted delivery of curcumin to a cell or tissue. The technique can be extend to co-precipitation of mixed metal oxide involving Ni, Mn, Co and Cu oxide. The calcination temperature can be varied from 500-900 C. The nanocombination is functionalized with chitosan, polyacrylic acid, PLGA or another agent to increase its biocompatibility in vivo.