Page 26 - GTM-4-1
P. 26

Global Translational Medicine                                   Phytonanotherapy in cancer and diabetes care



              NPs have also been used in CAM to aid with       3.1.1. NP synthesis
            diagnosis. 10,11  Functionalized NPs can be used as contrast   In  phytonanotherapy,  NPs  are  synthesized  utilizing
            agents in imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance   phytochemicals extracted from medicinal plants, and
            imaging (MRI) or as drug carriers. This approach   these NPs can include gold, silver, or other materials and
            facilitates the visualization and precise treatment of   function as carriers for therapeutic medicines. 14
            diseases, aligning with the holistic principles commonly
            linked with CAM.                                   3.1.2. Targeted drug delivery
              Nevertheless, the combination of CAM and NPs raises   Drugs or therapeutic compounds originating from
            concerns about safety and regulatory oversight. Ensuring   medicinal plants can be encapsulated in phytosynthesized
            the safety and quality of CAM-derived NPs is crucial before   NPs. These NPs can then be targeted at specific disease
            they acceptance and application in health care. Regulatory   areas  in  the  body,  boosting  therapeutic  efficacy  while
            bodies must adapt to facilitate the comprehensive   decreasing side effects. 15
            evaluation and approval of these novel therapeutics. 12
                                                               3.1.3. Improved bioavailability
            3. Phytonanotherapy and green synthesis            NPs can improve plant-derived drug solubility and

            Phytonanotherapy and green synthesis represent two   bioavailability, making them more useful as therapies for
            innovative and eco-friendly approaches in the fields of   cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory illnesses. 16
            health care and nanotechnology. Their individual concepts
            and their potential intersections are described in the   3.1.4. Reduced toxicity
            following sections. Table 1 shows the pros and cons of both   Phytonanotherapy tries to lessen the toxicity associated
            these approaches.                                  with some synthetic medications by utilizing natural plant
                                                               chemicals, hence promoting safer therapies. 15
            3.1. Phytonanotherapy
            Phytonanotherapy is a cutting-edge method of treatment   3.2. Green synthesis of NPs
            that blends the healing characteristics of medicinal plants   Green synthesis, also known as environmentally friendly or
            with nanotechnology. It entails using NPs produced from   eco-friendly synthesis, is a technique for creating NPs from
            plant-derived chemicals or extracts for targeted medication   biocompatible and sustainable ingredients. Green synthesis,
            delivery  and improved therapeutic  effects.  Figure  1   as opposed to standard chemical processes, which frequently
            describes  some  of the most  important components  of   entail hazardous chemicals and severe settings, focuses on
            phytonanotherapy. 13                               natural supplies and benign reaction conditions.

            Table 1. Pros and cons of phytonanotherapy and green synthesis

            Pros                             Phytonanotherapy                        Green Synthesis
            Enhanced drug delivery  Improved bioavailability of plant-based therapies   Synthesis of NPs with customized characteristics under
                                                                        controlled conditions
            Targeted therapy   Precise distribution to specific disease locations.  Possibility of customizing functionality for individual
                                                                        applications
            Reduced toxicity   Uses natural, less harmful substances    Avoids the usage of potentially dangerous chemicals
            Sustainable materials  Uses plant-derived chemicals         Uses ecologically friendly precursors.
            Biocompatibility   NPs are generally biocompatible          Produces frequently biocompatible NPs
            Diverse therapeutic options Access to a diverse array of therapeutic plants  Material versatility (metals, oxides, and so on)
            Eco-friendly approach  Complies with environmental and sustainable principles  Low environmental effect
            Cons                             Phytonanotherapy                        Green Synthesis
            Limited plant availability  Varying plant availability (seasonal)  Reliance on the availability of appropriate plant sources
            Standardization challenges Difficulty in maintaining consistency in phytochemical   Varying reproducibility of green synthesis methods.
                               composition
            Safety concerns    Allergic reactions to plant-based ingredients  Varying biocompatibility and toxicity
            Regulatory hurdles  Strict guidelines for herbal medicine and NP-based treatments Complicated regulatory approval process
            Abbreviation: NP: Nanoparticles.



            Volume 4 Issue 1 (2025)                         18                              doi: 10.36922/gtm.5840
   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31