Application of green synthesized silver nanoparticles in cancer treatment—a critical review

Abstract

With the breakthrough in advance technologies, researchers are looking to devise novel approaches to control different types of deadly cancers. Progress in medicinal plants research and nanotechnology has drawn scientist’s attention toward green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles by exploiting plants secondary metabolites owing to its advantage over routinely used physical and chemical synthesis (simple, one step approach to reduce and stabilize bulk silver into silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), cost effectiveness, energy efficient, biocompatibility and therapeutic significance). Owing to control size, shape and functional surface corona, AgNPs hold considerable potentiality for therapeutic applications by opting different mechanistic pathways such as mitochondrial disruption, DNA fragmentation, cell membrane disruption, interruption of cellular signaling pathways, altered enzyme activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production leading to apoptosis etc In this review, we discussed the green synthesized AgNPs in the possible cancer treatment by harnessing phytochemicals present in plant extract. In addition, this review also provides recent advances and achievements in utilization of green synthesized AgNPs in cancer treatment and proposes mechanistic action for their anticancer and cytotoxic potential. By understanding the mechanistic action of AgNPs responsible for their therapeutic efficacy will help to devise customized therapies and treatment against cancer as a potential cancer therapeutic tool.

Activities against Lung Cancer of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles: A Review

“…At the molecular level, AgNPs with different sizes can induce DNA fragmentation, protein carbonylation, and peroxidation of the lipid membrane of cancer cells by increasing the production of ROS [199]. In the same regard, biosynthesized AgNPs can alter the transmembrane potential of mitochondria by causing the overproduction of free radicals (i.e., hydrogen peroxide), which results in cell death by apoptosis [200].…”

Plant extract‐based synthesis of metallic nanomaterials, their applications, and safety concerns

“…Hence, clinicians and researchers have been endeavoring to develop antineoplastic agents that have broad safety margins, are cost‐effective, biodegradable, and biocompatible, and show no offsite effects. Green NMs have also been studied for their anticancer potential, with silver NMs being the most promising; the possible mechanism of action of silver NMs is shown in Figure 8a (Jabeen et al, 2021). Oleo europaea leaf‐based silver NMs have shown potent activity against MCF‐7 breast cancer cells, with an LD 50 of 24 ng/ml for over 24 h incubation (Rashidipour & Heydari, 2014).…”

“…Saudi date extract‐based Pt NMs have exhibited marked anticancer and antimicrobial potential against colon, breast, hepatic cancer cells, Bacillis subtilis , and E. coli (Al‐Radadi, 2019). Detailed insights into green metallic NMs’ anticancer applications can be found in other excellent reviews (Bharadwaj et al, 2021; Jabeen et al, 2021; Z. U. H. Khan et al, 2017).…”

“…(a) The anticipated antineoplastic mechanism of silver nanomaterials (NMs) involving various active cellular pathways. Reprinted under terms of the Creative Commons license from ref (Jabeen et al, 2021). Copyright IOP publishers 2021.…”

Biosynthesis of Gelatin-coated Zinc oxide nanocomposite from Coccinia indica extract and its antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer and wound-healing properties

“…In light of this critical situation, there is a growing demand for non-toxic and traditional treatment techniques that offer hope for improved outcomes [31]. Although the application of nanoparticles in cancer research is still in its early stages, there is tremendous potential in emerging technologies to develop reliable anti-cancer treatments using green synthesized nanoparticles [32]. ZnONPs, known for their biocompatibility and biodegradability, have been proposed as a promising option for cancer treatment.…”