A review on marine algae-derived silver nanoparticles: A frontier in the cancer therapy

Rapid incidence rates of cancer are one of the major challenges for global health. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising and reliable approach for reducing the side effects associated with traditional methods of cancer treatment, eventually resulting in the early and rapid diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from marine algae is interesting due to their environmental friendliness, wide availability, and high pigment and secondary metabolite contents, which may have potential anti–cancer properties. AgNPs on the other hand, have shown remarkable anti–cancer properties, especially in cancer cells. The release of reactive oxygen species triggers oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and initiates apoptotic pathways through multiple signalling pathways. This review mainly offers insight into the synthesis of AgNPs from three different classes of marine algae, including Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae, and Rhodophyceae, and their possible anti–cancer activity against cancer cell lines. This review highlights which group of algae is most effective in synthesizing ideal AgNPs, as well as the reported doses of these AgNPs for treating specific types of cancer.