Preparation of zinc oxide nanoparticles and its cancer treatment effects: a review paper

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the prominent metal oxide nanoparticles with significant applications in cancer treatment. Various methods of synthesis have been adopted in the production of ZnO NPs to meet its high demand. The environmental implications and economic challenges attached to most of the means of ZnO NPs synthesis have resulted in the quest for other alternatives with environmental and economic benefits. Recently in nanotechnology research, synthesis of nanoparticle from green chemistry pathways has been preferred due to its natural biological reduction property which reduces the utilization and exposure of toxic chemical to the environment when compare to physical and chemical methods. Among the different inorganic nanoparticles, ZnO NPs attracts more attention due to its, large bandwidth, high excitation binding energy, simplicity, easy fabrication, bio-safe, non-toxic, biocompatible, eco and environmental friendly. Zinc oxide nanoparticle is readily soluble in biological fluids and tends to aggregate easily under different physiological condition. But physicochemical properties of the nanoparticle have an impact in the bioavailability. This review described the summary of the recent advances in the synthesis, characterization techniques, and applications of biosynthesized ZnO NPS in cancer treatment.