Emerging Theranostic Silver and Gold Nanomaterials to Combat Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review

Prostate cancer has emerged as the common malignancy in men and is considered as a global issue. Among different strategies to combat prostate cancer, nanobiotechnology appears as a novel approach for prostate cancer theranostics. The current systematic review discussing the recent development in the prostate anticancer activity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through laboratory investigations. The databases including Cochrane, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Embase were used to identify the records. It was found that most of the studies used herbal extracts for preparation of AgNPs and/or AuNPs. Majority of biosynthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were formed with spherical morphology. Besides, all studies reported the size of NPs less than 100 nm. Moreover, PC-3 prostate cancer cell was the predominant cell line that was evaluated for prostate anticancer activity of NPs. In the present study, we provided valuable information suggesting the significant prostate anticancer potential of biogenic AgNPs and/or AuNPs. However, further, in vivo investigations are required to provide stronger evidence of the efficacy of bio-mediated synthesized AgNPs and/or AuNPs to combat prostate cancer.