Page 27 - GTM-4-1

Global Translational Medicine Phytonanotherapy in cancer and diabetes care

Figure 1. Key aspects pf phytonanotherapy. Figure created using Biorender.com.

Green synthesis often uses natural sources as precursors and extraction techniques. This variability contributes to
for NP synthesis, such as plant extracts, microbiological the unpredictability and inconsistency of these compounds.
species, or even waste products. By avoiding the use of Standardization is consequently more challenging,
17
hazardous chemicals, this strategy reduces environmental making it difficult to guarantee therapeutic efficacy and
impact and makes it more sustainable. Green synthesized repeatability in NP manufacturing. Clinical studies on
NPs are frequently biocompatible, making them useful for phytonanotherapy must also address the complexities
a variety of biomedical applications such as drug delivery of maximizing dosage, delivery systems, and treatment
and medical imaging. Green synthesis may create NPs plans while reducing possible toxicity and adverse effects.
made of a variety of materials, including metals (such as In addition, obtaining regulatory permission poses a
gold and silver), metal oxides, and organic compounds. significant challenge, as the complex composition of plant-
Green-synthesized NPs have a wide range of applications, derived NPs necessitates thorough safety and effectiveness
including agriculture, water treatment, and environmental testing to meet current pharmaceutical requirements. To
cleanup. 18,19 make phytonanotherapy a practical and scalable treatment
option for real-world applications, several issues must be
3.3. Intersection of phytonanotherapy and green resolved. 13-20
synthesis
4. The preparation of phytosynthesized
The use of plant-derived chemicals or extracts in the gold and silver NPs for the treatment of
environmentally friendly production of NPs specifically
suited for medical applications is at the junction of cancer and diabetes
phytonanotherapy and green synthesis. This synergy The preparation of phytosynthesized gold and silver NPs
blends medicinal plants’ therapeutic potential with the typically involves a green and eco-friendly approach
sustainability of green synthesis technologies. It produces (Figure 2 and Table 2). A general method for synthesizing
NPs that are not only biocompatible and effective for drug these NPs using plant extracts for potential therapeutic
delivery, but are also ecologically friendly. This convergence applications is described below.
has the potential to result in a new generation of green
nanomedicine with lower environmental impact, better 4.1. Materials needed
patient outcomes, and broader uses in health care and 4.1.1. Medicinal plant extract
beyond. However, efforts are being made to optimize these A plant containing anticancer or antidiabetic
approaches, ensuring their safety and efficacy in clinical phytochemicals or substances is selected. Turmeric
settings. 20 (curcumin), green tea (catechins), aloe vera, neem, and
Despite its potential, phytonanotherapy faces many bitter melon are some popular options.
obstacles as it moves from research to clinical use. The
composition and potency of bioactive compounds in plant- 4.1.2. Gold or silver salt
derived chemicals can vary significantly due to factors such Gold chloride (AuCl ) is commonly used for gold NPs and
4
as plant species, geographic location, cultivation methods, silver nitrate (AgNO ) for silver NPs.
3

Volume 4 Issue 1 (2025) 19 doi: 10.36922/gtm.5840