Inorganic Nanoparticles: Toxic Effects, Mechanisms of Cytotoxicity and Phytochemical Interactions

During the last few decades, nanotechnology has gained many applications in almost all fieldsof life because of the unique properties of nanoparticles (NPs). Nanotechnology has speciallymarked its name in the field of medicine. However, NPs toxicity is detrimental to human healthand is a prime concern in applied medicine. They can cause insomnia, vertigo, madarosis,epistaxis, hypokalemia, lymphopenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, etc. There is agap in knowledge regarding the study of the toxicological effects of NPs. Mechanisms thatare responsible for this toxicity are not fully understood yet. Phytochemicals have naturaltherapeutic effects of reducing metal NPs’ toxicity by acting as stabilizers and nontoxicreducing agents. However, the interaction between phytochemicals and NPs is remained to beelucidated. This review will provide in-depth knowledge about the various types of inorganicNPs and their associated toxicities, key parameters determining the toxic behaviour of NPs, andthe mechanisms behind their cytotoxicity. It also emphasizes the need for further research tounderstand the interaction between various phytochemicals and NPs for therapeutic purposes.