Biomedical Applications of Plant Extract-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles
Sohail Simon,
Nicole Remaliah Samantha Sibuyi,
Adewale Oluwaseun Fadaka,
Samantha Meyer,
Jamie Josephs,
Martin Opiyo Onani,
Mervin Meyer,
Abram Madimabe Madiehe
Affiliations
Sohail Simon
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Nicole Remaliah Samantha Sibuyi
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Adewale Oluwaseun Fadaka
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Samantha Meyer
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Jamie Josephs
Nanobiotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Martin Opiyo Onani
Organometallics and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Mervin Meyer
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Abram Madimabe Madiehe
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted a lot of interest directed towards biomedical applications due in part to their outstanding anti-microbial activities. However, there have been many health-impacting concerns about their traditional synthesis methods, i.e., the chemical and physical methods. Chemical methods are commonly used and contribute to the overall toxicity of the AgNPs, while the main disadvantages of physical synthesis include high production costs and high energy consumption. The biological methods provide an economical and biocompatible option as they use microorganisms and natural products in the synthesis of AgNPs with exceptional biological properties. Plant extract-based synthesis has received a lot of attention and has been shown to resolve the limitations associated with chemical and physical methods. AgNPs synthesized using plant extracts provide a safe, cost-effective, and environment-friendly approach that produces biocompatible AgNPs with enhanced properties for use in a wide range of applications. The review focused on the use of plant-synthesized AgNPs in various biomedical applications as anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and drug-delivery agents. The versatility and potential use of green AgNPs in the bio-medicinal sector provides an innovative alternative that can overcome the limitations of traditional systems. Thus proving green nanotechnology to be the future for medicine with continuous progress towards a healthier and safer environment by forming nanomaterials that are low- or non-toxic using a sustainable approach.
