Green Silver Nanoparticles: Novel Therapeutic Potential for Cancer and Microbial Infections

Abstract

As a result of the development of nanotechnology in the last decade, silver nanoparticles emerged as an interesting alterative for the treatment of antimicrobial diseases and cancer, but its toxicological effects and its low biocompatibility were limiting its potential for clinical application [1-3]. The development of biosynthetic methods to obtain silver nanoparticles based on silver ions and natural plant extracts (Rich in reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents) radically changes the perspective on its adverse effects, since this green synthesis method allows obtaining silver nanoparticles with more biocompatibility [4-7]. The present review aims to show an overview of the therapeutic potential of silver nanoparticles synthesized with natural plant extracts for the treatment of microbial infections and cancer, this analysis is based on recent publications.