Phytochemicals and Biogenic Metallic Nanoparticles as Anticancer Agents

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Several classes of drugs are available to treat different types of cancer. Currently, researchers are paying significant attention to the development of drugs at the nanoscale level to increase their target specificity and to reduce their concentrations. Nanotechnology is a promising and growing field with multiple subdisciplines, such as nanostructures, nanomaterials, and nanoparticles. These materials have gained prominence in science due to their size, shape, and potential efficacy. Nanomedicine is an important field involving the use of various types of nanoparticles to treat cancer and cancerous cells. Synthesis of nanoparticles targeting biological pathways has become tremendously prominent due to the higher efficacy and fewer side effects of nanodrugs compared to other commercial cancer drugs. In this review, different medicinal plants and their active compounds, as well as green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles from medicinal plants, are discussed in relation to their anticancer activities.

Figure 1

Structures of compounds isolated from medicinal plants used as anticancer agents.

Figure 2

Biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles and their biological activities, including anticancer activity. The figure describes the formation of metallic nanoparticles [silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)] using plant materials. The functional groups in plant materials act as reductants by donating electrons to reduce silver ions in silver nitrate, which leads to the synthesis of AgNPs. Biogenically synthesized AgNPs have several biological efficacies. Other types of metallic nanoparticle formation are not shown in this figure.

Figure 3

A simplified diagram of anticancer activities triggered by nanoparticles in tumor cells.

Figure 4

The mechanisms of apoptosis and necrosis mediated by nanoparticles in tumor cells.