Nanobiotechnology for Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review

Nanotechnology deals with the synthesis and manipulation of particles of nanosize (1–100 nm). They have unique properties owing to their small size and large surface area and can be used in different industries. Their properties at the nanoscale offer advantages not seen in their bulk counterparts, making them a versatile asset. Top-down or bottom-up approach is used for their synthesis. There are different methods to synthesize, viz., physical, chemical, or biological. Nanoparticles can be metallic or nonmetallic. The synthesized nanoparticles can be characterized by visualizing the color change and using techniques like UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), zeta potential analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), etc. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are notable metallic nanoparticles that have large number of applications. The nanoparticles can be synthesized biologically by using microorganisms and plants. Different plant parts like barks, fruits, stems, leaves, seeds, flowers, rhizomes, roots, and fruit peels are used for the synthesis of nanoparticles. This plant-mediated or green synthesis method has several advantages like eco-friendly, high yield, low toxicity, and energy-efficient. The plants contain secondary metabolites which act as reducing agent for the nanoparticles’ synthesis. The silver nanoparticles hold the potential to revolutionize various industrial sectors and environmental solutions. However, it’s important to acknowledge that their multifaceted nature presents both opportunities and challenges, as highlighted by various studies revealing potential adverse effects on mankind. Therefore, silver nanoparticles embody a dichotomy of potential benefits and risks. Their diverse applications hold immense promise, but the intricacies of their interaction with biological systems require careful consideration to harness their advantages while mitigating potential harms.