Highlights
- Green chemistry principles in nanoparticles-based nanomedicines.
- Biogenic and eco-friendly synthesis of silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles.
- Ag, Au, Cu and Fe nanoparticles demonstrated promising antimicrobial therapeutic potential.
- Ag, Au, Cu and Fe nanoparticles exhibit potential for anticancer therapy and drug delivery applications.
- Sustainability, cost-effectiveness, limitations, and future directions.
Abstract
Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) typically involves the bio-reduction of metallic ions using phytochemically rich plant extracts containing a variety of compounds such as terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenols. Green synthetic transformations have emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic methods. The advantages of these green synthetic methodologies over conventional synthetic approaches are cost-effectiveness, reduced environmental pollution, improved ecological impact, and enhanced human health safety. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances (2019-present) in the green synthetic methodologies and strategies of MNPs-such as silver, gold, iron, and copper-using natural resources, particularly plant extracts. In addition, emphasis is placed on the fabrication of green chemistry–assisted bionanohybrid composite materials, which integrate biopolymers, biomolecules, and nanometals to enhance structural stability and multifunctionality. It explores their diverse biomedical applications, with particular focus on the synergistic performance of these bionanohybrids in selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, antimicrobial therapeutic efficacy, and potential in targeted drug delivery. This review article also discusses future perspectives, including the integration of green nanotechnology of MNPs with smart delivery systems. The convergence of green-synthesized MNPs with bionanohybrid composites and smart nanocarriers reflects a current thematic trend in sustainable nanomedicine, offering broad therapeutic potential for next-generation cancer therapeutics, antimicrobial agents, and environmental remediation applications.