Synthesis and therapeutic potential of silver nanomaterials derived from plant extracts

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2019-01, Vol.168, p.260-278
• Main Authors: Fahimirad, Shohreh, Ajalloueian, Fatemeh, Ghorbanpour, Mansour
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial property; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Cell Line; Cytotoxicity; Drug Synergism; Environmental toxicity; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Phyto-nanotechnology; Phytochemicals - chemistry; Phytochemicals - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant-mediated AgNPs; Reactive oxygen species; Silver - chemistry; Silver - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.10.017

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted a great deal of attention in the recent years. It is mostly due to their availability, chemical stability, catalytic activity, conductivity, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity and intrinsic therapeutic properties. There are three major approaches for AgNPs synthesis; i.e., chemical, physical, and biological methods. Today, many of chemical and physical methods have become less popular due to using hazardous chemicals or their high costs, respectively. The biological method has introduced an appropriate substitute synthesis strategy for the traditional physical and chemical approaches. The utilization of the plant extracts as reducing, stabilizing and coating agent of AgNPs is an interesting eco-friendly approach leading to high efficiency. The antimicrobial and anticancer synergistic effects among the AgNPs and phytochemicals will enhance their therapeutic potentials. Surprisingly, although many studies have demonstrated the significant enhancement in cytotoxic activities of plant-mediated AgNPs toward cancerous cells, these nanoparticles have been found nontoxic to normal human cells in their therapeutic concentrations. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the mechanism of plant-mediated AgNPs synthesis, their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities as well as their applications. •Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are novel candidates for different applications.•AgNPs are mainly synthesized using chemical, physical, or biological methods.•Plant-mediated approaches (PMA) are more eco-friendly and economic than others.•PMA offer the synthesis of AgNPs free from chemical contaminants.•The phytochemicals adhering on the surface of AgNPs lead to the synergistic effects.