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Global Translational Medicine Phytonanotherapy in cancer and diabetes care

Table 4. Recent developments in the field of green NPs for cancer treatment
Development Descriptions
Plant-based green NPs Plant extracts and phytochemicals are used in the synthesis of green NPs with anticancer effects. Plant-derived NPs have
the potential for biocompatibility and low toxicity.
Biodegradable nanocarriers Biodegradable nanocarriers, such as chitosan, alginate, and cellulose-based NPs, are being developed to encapsulate and
deliver anticancer medicines with regulated release profiles.
Combination therapies For improved efficacy, green NPs carrying several therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic medicines,
immunotherapeutic, and gene treatments, are being investigated.
Theranostic NPs Design and application of green NPs with dual therapeutic and diagnostic properties (theranostics), enabling targeted
medication administration while providing image contrast for cancer detection.
Targeted delivery Green NPs are being functionalized with targeting ligands or antibodies to ensure precision delivery of therapeutic
payloads to cancer cells while minimizing off-target effects.
Immunomodulation Exploration of green NPs with immunomodulatory capabilities, with the goal of potentially activating the body's
immune response against cancer cells and improving the efficacy of immunotherapies.
Algae-derived green NPs Due to their natural abundance and biocompatibility, algae-based green NPs are being researched for possible applications in
photothermal and photodynamic cancer therapy.
Clinical trials Some green NP-based medicines are being advanced to early-phase clinical studies to examine their safety and efficacy
in human beings as potential cancer treatments.
Biosafety and regulation Green NPs’ biosafety and regulatory elements were evaluated in order to ensure their compliance with safety and quality
considerations criteria for clinical application in cancer treatment.
Abbreviation: NP: Nanoparticles.

to improved therapeutic effects. Functionalized NPs can Combining several phytochemicals within NPs may
be created to encapsulate antidiabetic medicines generated help lessen the possibility of drug resistance, which can
from medicinal plants for targeted drug delivery. These arise with some synthetic antidiabetic medicines. While
NPs can then be specifically targeted to pancreatic cells or the promise of phytosynthesized gold and silver NPs for
other key diabetes tissues, improving medication delivery diabetes treatment is exciting, more research, pre-clinical
while minimizing off-target effects. When compared to studies, and clinical trials are required to establish their
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some synthetic antidiabetic medications, phytosynthesized safety and efficacy in humans. Individual responses to
NPs may have lower toxicity and fewer side effects. This can various medications may differ, and careful scientific study
contribute to a better safety profile for diabetics, especially is required to assure their dependability and therapeutic
when employed in long-term therapies. efficacy in diabetes management. 37,39
Medicinal plants frequently contain many bioactive 6.1. Developments in the field of green NPs for
substances that may work synergistically to fight diabetes. diabetic treatment
By encapsulating these chemicals in NPs, their combined The developments in the field of green NPs for
therapeutic effects for improved glucose control and diabetic treatment entail the use of biocompatible and
insulin regulation can be realized. Some plant-derived environmentally friendly nanomaterials synthesized from
chemicals have the ability to target various diabetes natural sources, typically plant extracts or phytochemicals.
pathways, including enhancing insulin sensitivity, These green NPs show considerable promise for efficiently
decreasing inflammation, and protecting pancreatic beta managing diabetes.
cells. This multitarget action may be useful in treating the
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complexities of diabetes. Researchers have used medicinal plants and their
bioactive components to create green NPs. These NPs can
Because of the diversity of medicinal plants and either incorporate antidiabetic medicines or have natural
their bioactive ingredients, personalized antidiabetic glucose-lowering effects. The plant extract used determines
medicines can be developed. Based on the plant source the medicinal characteristics of the NPs, providing a
and phytochemical composition, NPs can be adjusted variety of alternatives. Green NPs are intended to boost
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to individual patient needs. The synthesis of NPs from the bioavailability of antidiabetic phytochemicals that
medicinal plants adheres to green and sustainable are poorly water soluble. This implies that the medicinal
principles, minimizing the environmental impact of chemicals are more easily absorbed by the body, enhancing
typical chemical synthesis methods. their effectiveness in diabetes management.

Volume 4 Issue 1 (2025) 23 doi: 10.36922/gtm.5840