Fabrication of green nanomaterials

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the production of biocompatible green nanomaterials for biomedical applications using green nanotechnology. To enhance drug loading and delivery, these nanomaterials are engineered with immunomodulatory ligands such as phytochemicals (Epigallocatechin gallate, Mangiferin, Resveratrol), proteins (albumin and papain), crosslinked hydrogels, and nanogels. The nanomaterials described herein are synthesized via redox potential of electron-dense phytochemicals that reduce metallic precursors to their stable corresponding nanoparticles and via water radiolysis with ionizing radiation as a green approach (due to the absence of any reducing agent) for use as radiosensitizers (albumin and papain nanoparticles) in nuclear medicine – theranostics applications. The phytochemicals facilitate the delivery of nanoparticles through receptor mediated endocytosis, while the proteins such as papain, due to their proteolytic action enhances the permeation of nanoparticles into tumor tissue, and albumin increase the pharmacokinetic efficiency of these nanoparticles. The nanoparticles developed have shown effectiveness against a variety of human cancers while posing no toxicity to normal tissue. Additionally, a pilot human clinical combing Ayurvedic medicine with green nanomedicine is given as a novel approach for treating breast cancer and other related illnesses. Finally, the importance of ecotoxicology for nanomaterials is discussed in order to provide safety data in relevant multiple species (fish, daphnia, algae, rodents, etc.) with paratope/epitope distributions for evaluating tissue cross-reactivity profiles in human tissues and to provide critical information on in vivo toxicity in order to predict the possible adverse effects of nanomaterials on human and environmental health as an effort to establish regulatory limits and ISO standards for nanomaterials.