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

Abstract

Nanotechnology has attracted the attention of researchers from different scientific fields because of the escalated properties of nanomaterials (NMs) compared with the properties of macromolecules. NMs can be prepared through different approaches involving physical and chemical methods. The development of NMs through plantbased green chemistry approaches is more advantageous than other methods from the perspectives of environmental safety, animal, and human health. The biomolecules and metabolites of plants act as reducing and capping agents for the synthesis of metallic green NMs. Plant-based synthesis is a preferred approach as it is not only cost-effective, easy, safe, clean, and eco-friendly but also provides pure NMs in high yield. Since NMs have antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, green NMs synthesized from plants can be used for a variety of biomedical and environmental remediation applications. Past studies have focused mainly on the overall biogenic synthesis of individual or combinations of metallic NMs and their oxides from different biological sources, including microorganisms and biomolecules.Moreover, from the viewpoint of biomedical applications, the literature is mainly focusing on synthetic NMs. Herein, we discuss the extraction of green molecules and recent developments in the synthesis of different plant-based metallic NMs, including silver, gold, platinum, palladium, copper, zinc, iron, and carbon. Apart from the biomedical applications of metallic NMs, including antimicrobial, anticancer, diagnostic, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications, their environmental remediation potential is also discussed. Furthermore, safety concerns and safety regulations pertaining to green NMs are also discussed.

Physicochemical and Toxicological Screening of Silver Nanoparticle Biosynthesis from Punica granatum Peel Extract

“…Green synthesis has gained popularity due to its eco-friendly nature. This environmentally friendly approach [33] not only provides safer alternatives to conventional methods but also offers economic benefits and reduced environmental impact, aligning with the principles of sustainable development [3,8]. The utilization of green nanotechnology in medicine extends beyond therapeutic interventions to encompass areas such as drug delivery systems, imaging, and wound healing.…”

“…By utilizing biological entities (e.g., plant extracts, fungi, algae, bacteria, viruses, yeast, etc. ), green nanotechnology has facilitated the creation of various nanoparticles such as metallic, polymeric, and lipid-based nanoparticles, each possessing unique properties suitable for therapeutic applications [3][4][5]. These green synthesized nanoparticles have demonstrated great potential in addressing biofilm formation, infectious diseases, cancer, and drug-resistant bacteria due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics and biocompatibility [6][7][8].…”

Biofabrication of nanoparticles: sources, synthesis, and biomedical applications

“…Plants can be used to synthesize a wide range of 2D nanomaterials, including graphene, graphene oxide, and metal oxide nanoparticles. The process involves the use of plant extracts as reducing agents and stabilizers, which can be obtained through simple extraction methods ( Ullah and Lim, 2022 ). Bacterial microorganisms can be used as an aid to produce 2D nanomaterials, including graphene oxide, by exploiting their potential to reduce metal ions.…”

Smart and Multi-Functional Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment Applications: Clinical Challenges and Future Prospects

“…Biological synthesis is an economical, energy efficient, and non-toxic strategy which can fabricate chemically stable IONPs using biotic resources [ 37 ]. Examples of reported bio-synthesis methods are (a) plant-mediated bio-synthesis of MNPs [ 38 , 39 ], and (b) microorganism-based bio-synthesis of MNPs which includes (i) bacteria [ 40 ], (ii) yeast [ 41 ], (iii) algae [ 42 , 43 ], and (iv) fungi [ 44 , 45 ].…”