An Update on Green Synthesis Application in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the most common health problems affecting the human population globally. One of the major focus areas that bio-nanotechnology is taking nowadays relates to nanomedicine and the use of nanomaterials in cancer therapy. Furthermore, the green synthesis of nanoparticles has been described as an effective, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly procedure. Biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, algae, plant extracts, and enzymes and biomolecules have been reported to successfully synthesize metal nanoparticles. This review describes the types of green synthesized nanoparticles, the different green synthesis methods of nanoparticles, and their application against various cancer cell lines. Although the plant-mediated silver nanoparticle synthesis appeared to be the most common green synthesis approach used in cancer therapy, gold nanoparticles are postulated to be a better, more efficient alternative, whilst the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles is becoming an emerging trend. This review concludes that metal nanoparticles can be used as potential anticancer agents.

Keywords: Biomolecules, Cancer therapy, Drug-delivery, Metal nanoparticles, Microorganisms, Plant extracts.