Recent advancements in the plant-based synthesis and mechanistic insights of noble metal nanoparticles and their therapeutic applications

Today nanotechnology is considered the most promising field in science, with much research dedicated to synthesising novel nanoparticles (NPs) with unique properties and their application in various fields of life. Particularly, the use of NPs in medicine is extremely important as it has revolutionized medicinal chemistry, providing advanced treatment options for various diseases. The synthesis of NPs by conventional methods however poses environmental risks and hence, the biogenic synthesis to produce plant-based nanoparticles is proving to be quite useful. Metal based NPs have known therapeutic activity as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anticancer agents etc. They cause apoptosis and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, they are also implemented in surgical implants and bone cements etc. Noble metals like Ag, Au, Pt and Pd are valued for their therapeutic properties which have been documented over centuries. The review explores recent developments in the plant-based synthesis of NPs of noble metals and their therapeutic applications and elucidation of the molecular mechanism of the biogenic synthesis which is required to obtain nanoparticles with controlled morphological features and would help in the facile synthesis enabling biotransformation.