Natural resources for sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials with anticancer applications: A move toward green nanomedicine

Today, researchers have focused on the application of environmentally-benign and sustainable micro-and nanosystems for drug delivery and cancer therapy. Compared to conventional chemotherapeutics, advanced micro-and nanosystems designed by applying abundant, natural, and renewable feedstocks have shown biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low toxicity advantages. However, important aspects of toxicological assessments, clinical translational studies, and suitable functionalization/modification still need to be addressed. Herein, the benefits and challenges of green nanomedicine in cancer nanotherapy and targeted drug delivery are cogitated using nanomaterials designed by exploiting natural and renewable resources. The application of nanomaterials accessed from renewable natural resources, comprising metallic nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks, natural-derived nanomaterials, etc. for targeted anticancer drug de-livery and cancer nanotherapy are deliberated, with emphasis on important limitations/challenges and future perspectives.

Automated summary

Researchers are currently focused on the application of environmentally-friendly and sustainable micro- and nanosystems for drug delivery and cancer therapy. Advanced micro- and nanosystems, designed using abundant, natural, and renewable resources, have shown advantages such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapeutics. However, there are still important aspects to address, such as toxicological assessments, clinical translational studies, and suitable functionalization/modification.