Open AccessReview
A Systematic Review of Biosynthesized Metallic Nanoparticles as a Promising Anti-Cancer-Strategy
by
1, 2, 3, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7
, 8,9
and 1,*
1
Plant Cell and Tissue Culture Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
2
Proteomics Lab, School of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
3
Media and Production Group, Centre for Media and Communication Studies, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Pakistan
4
Nanobiotechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
5
Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Lab, National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Lahore 53700, Pakistan
6
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Integrative Biosciences, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan
7
Laboratoire de Biologie des Ligneux et des Grandes Cultures (LBLGC), INRA USC1328 Université ď Orléans, CEDEX 2, 45067 Orléans, France
8
Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia, Avd. Galicia no 4, Parque Tecnológico de Galicia, San Cibrao das Viñas, 32900 Ourense, Spain
9
Área de Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias de Ourense, Universidad de Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editors: Maciej Wnuk and Anna Lewinska
Received: 9 May 2021
/
Revised: 29 May 2021
/
Accepted: 30 May 2021
/
Published: 5 June 2021
Simple Summary
Cancer is one of the major public health burdens in the world. To date, various conventional cancer therapies have been used, but these therapies are less effective and have severe side effects. Currently, in order to find a better cure for cancer, researchers have tried to explore new approaches with minimal toxicity and fewer side effects. In recent years, nanotechnology has been widely used in diseases management and holds a promising future in curing complex incurable diseases, in particular cancer. Biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles are eco-friendly and biocompatible, and can be used in cancer diagnostics, novel treatments, and drug delivery systems. This review gives an overview of the recent advancements in the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles (silver (Ag), gold (Au), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu)) and their possible anti-cancer activities, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of action, and future research prospects of nano-therapeutics are also discussed.