Greenly Synthesized Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles (MnO NPs) In Tumor Therapy: A Narrative Review

Abstract

One of the most destructive diseases of the twenty-first century is cancer, which has given rise to significant concerns among medical professionals and academics alike. In order to achieve victory in the fight against cancer, a multitude of therapeutic modalities are currently being investigated. Nanotechnology has emerged as a significant field of scientific inquiry, with potential applications across a range of disciplines. It draws upon insights from a range of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, biology, and health sciences. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the application of nanotechnology in the field of medicine, with the aim of preventing and treating diseases within the human body. Over the past two decades, manganese oxide nanomaterials (MnONs) and their derivatives have garnered increasing interest for applications in bioimaging, biosensing, drug/gene delivery, and tumor therapy. This is due to the tunable structures/morphologies, unique physical/chemical properties, and excellent biosecurity of these materials. The green synthesis of MnNPs using raw materials, vegetables and fruits, plant extracts, microorganisms, and fungi offers several advantages, including non-toxicity, environmental friendliness, cleanliness, and cost-effectiveness. Given the variety of mechanisms through which they act, green-produced MnNPs represent a promising source of new anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. MnNPs have been demonstrated to exert anti-proliferative activity against a range of cancer cells, including those of the colon, liver, cervix, breast, melanoma, and prostate, by activating apoptotic signal transduction pathways or inhibiting angiogenic signaling. In the context of cancer treatment, research is being conducted into the potential of metal nanotherapy, including the use of MnO NPs. The enhanced tissue penetration and retention properties of MnO facilitate its function as a drug carrier. MnONPs have been proposed to exhibit enzyme-like activities, including peroxidase, catalase, oxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. The biocompatibility obtained through green synthesis indicates the potential for its use not only in specific cancer conditions but also in other types of cancer, without the risk of toxicity associated with these compounds. It is conceivable that these therapeutic strategies may prove beneficial not only in the aforementioned cases of cancer but also in other instances of proliferative disorders. The low risk of toxicity associated with these compounds, as evidenced by the biocompatibility obtained through green synthesis, suggests their potential use in a range of biomedical applications.

Keywords: Cancer; Green Synthesis; Manganese oxide nanoparticles; Nanobiotechnology.

Figure 1

Schematic demonstration of green synthesis mechanism of MnO NPs.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of biosynthesis of MnO NPs using plant extract.

Figure 3

Analytical characterization methods of MnO NPs.