Nanomedicine for prostate cancer: Modern therapies based on green synthesis of nanoparticles

Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related illness and death in men globally. Despite advancements in diagnostics and traditional therapies, significant challenges such as drug resistance, systemic toxicity, and restricted specificity persist in impeding successful management. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a revolutionary method in cancer treatment, offering targeted drug delivery, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced off-target side effects. Eco-friendly or green-synthesized nanomaterials have gained significant attention due to their biocompatibility, sustainability, and reduced environmental impact. This review delineates the present state of prostate cancer treatment and the constraints of traditional pharmacological approaches. We subsequently investigate the burgeoning role of nanomedicine in addressing these difficulties, focusing specifically on eco-friendly nanomaterials synthesized from plant extracts, microbial systems, and natural polymers. These biosynthesized nanoparticles (NPs) provide dual benefits: medicinal effectiveness and diminished environmental impact, consistent with the tenets of green chemistry and sustainable medicine. Additionally, we examine diverse drug delivery systems employing green NPs for prostate cancer, including liposomes, polymeric NPs, and metal-based systems synthesized through environmentally friendly methods. Recent in vitro and in vivo research is rigorously examined to assess the clinical potential of these methodologies. The review identifies significant translational hurdles, such as large-scale repeatability, regulatory constraints, and stability concerns, while proposing potential future approaches to enhance the therapeutic application of eco-friendly nanomedicine in prostate cancer treatment.