Biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles as emerging cancer theranostics agents

Cancer is considered as a great health challenge liable for outstripped demises worldwide. Currently it is treated mainly by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, there is a perpetual demand for the development of novel therapeutic drugs to combat this devastating disease. In this regard nanomedicine can provide an alternative platform for its diagnosis and treatment but its conventional synthesis through physiochemical methods has several shortcomings like high cost, energy intensive, and toxicity concerns. Consequently, the green synthesis of biogenic metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) from plants provides an alternate paradigm which has been proved safer, eco-friendly, energy proficient, inexpensive, and less toxic in nature. Additionally, the green MNPs have multipurpose biomedical applications like drug delivery agents, anticancerous mediators, photothermal therapy, and bio-imaging. This chapter will provide ample information on the current status of green MNPs, its anticancerous mechanisms, and efficiency in cancer diagnosis. Other issues like polydispersity and toxicity are also highlighted. Keeping in view all of the challenges, the authors anticipate biogenic MNPs may contribute to shift the paradigm toward development of novel nanomedicine that can prove as biocompatible theranostic agents in near future.