Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Anticancer аnd Antibacterial Applications (A Review)

Abstract

Nanoparticles have unique characteristics with applications in different fields of industry and medicine. There are several methods for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles, mostly according economic and environmental criteria. On this contribution, it is presented a review on zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by “green route” methods and their biomedical advantages such as anticancer and antibacterial properties. To obtain this type of environment-friendly nanoparticles with different morphologies, zinc salts are used as precursor and as reductants. Plants as biological media are used as well, that is because naturally occurs within their systems reduction processes and/or phytochemical extracts of some part of plants. Thankfully to these green routes, the exposure and final disposal of toxic substances that involve conventional chemical methods are mitigated.