Nanotechnology is expected to be the basis of many of the main
technological innovations of the 21st century research and development.
Plant extracts may act both as reducing agents and stabilizing
agents in the synthesis of nanoparticles [1]. The source of the
plant extract is known to influence the characteristics of the nanoparticles.
The number of methods including physical and chemical
methods, electrochemical reduction, photochemical reduction and
heat evaporation have been used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs). In recent years a number of biomimetic processes
have been used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles.
This is because different extracts contain different concentrations
and combinations of organic reducing agents [2]. Typically, a plant
extract-mediated bioreduction involves mixing the aqueous
extract with an aqueous solution of the relevant metal salt. The
reaction occurs at room temperature and is generally complete
within a few minutes. In view of the number of different chemicals
involved, the bioreduction process is relatively complex. Nanoparticles
are already used in numerous applications [3] including
in vitro diagnostics, but their use in medicine is mostly on an
experimental basis. Drugs bound to nanoparticles have been
claimed to have advantages compared with the conventional forms
of the drugs [4].