Phytochemicals and Biogenic Metallic Nanoparticles as Anticancer Agents

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016:2016:3685671. doi: 10.1155/2016/3685671. Epub 2016 Feb 23.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Green Chemistry Technology
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Nanomedicine
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Phytochemicals / chemistry
  • Phytochemicals / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Phytochemicals