Phytosynthesized Nanoparticles for Effective Cancer Treatment: A Review

Introduction: Nanotechnology is a branch of nanosciences which includes the manipulation of particles at their atomic level in order to obtain certain desirable properties that enhance their use in the treatment of various metabolic disorders as well as other life-threatening diseases including cancer. Photosynthesized nanoparticles are eco-friendly, reliable and cost-effective. This biogenic route of nanoparticles synthesis is emerging as a beneficial method as plants contain diverse bioactive phytochemicals which act as reducing and capping agent thus, increase the stability and reduction rate of nanoparticles. The most commonly used nanoparticles are of silver, gold, iron oxides and copper. In few studies, bimetallic nanoparticles have been reported to have anti-cancer potential. The use of medicinal plants for the purpose of designing nanoparticles has paved a way for targeting a drug to the particular affected site of the tumor. Conclusion: This review focuses on the anti-cancerous potential of nanoparticles of different metals using a variety of medicinal plants. These biogenic nanoparticles could limit the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as these therapies have huge side effects which cannot be tolerated by the cancer patients, and in many cases, the patients die because of these treatments. Hence nanoparticles mediated therapy is now gaining attention for the treatment of cancer as targeted drug therapy, without having undesirable side effects.