Marine-derived natural products are rich source of secondary metabolites with huge potentials including novel therapeutic agents. Marine algae are considered to be a good source of secondary metabolites with versatile bioactivities. During the last few decades, researches related to natural products obtained from brown algae have remarkably escalated as they contain active compounds with varied biologically activities like antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiparasitic properties. The main bioactive components such as phlorotannin, fucoxanthin, alginic acid, fucoidan, and laminarin have been briefly discussed here, together with their composition and biological activities. In this review, the biological function of extracts and the metabolites of brown algae as well as their pharmacological impacts with the description of the possible mechanism of their action are described and discussed. Also, this study is expected to examine the multifunctional properties of brown algae that facilitate natural algal products, including the ability to integrate these functional properties in a variety of applications.

A single step protocol to produce biofunctionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of Cassia fistula flower as "natural factory" was investigated. The reaction between silver ions and aqueous flower extract after the bioreduction process has resulted in the formation of reddish brown color colloidal solution. XRD pattern showed the face centered cubic crystalline structure of AgNPs and exhibited spherical morphology as characterized by FE-SEM. FTIR studies identified different functional groups involved in effective capping of AgNPs. The zeta potential affirmed the phytoreduced AgNPs possess good stability and the size of the particle was measured by DLS. The synthesized AgNPs displayed effective cytotoxic potential against MCF7 and the inhibitory concentration (IC50) was recorded at 7.19 μg/mL. The apoptotic effects of the AgNPs were also confirmed by AO/EB staining. The investigation presents preliminary evidence that biosynthesized AgNPs can be used in the development of novel anticancer drugs.

In recent decades, research in nanomaterial specific to biodegradation has gained attraction owing to its physicochemical characteristics. Biodegradation is the main strategy used in the management of wastes. The role of nanoparticles helps in controlling the biodegradation rate. The biodegradation might not be quite effective in certain cases like high chemical deposition, due to its toxic nature towards microorganisms. The conventional strategies demonstrated a limited use of nature source, and this could be overcome through microbes and enzyme‐based biodegradation. Nanoparticles have improved the biodegradation rate through low‐density polyethylene development, thereby corrupting microbes. Thus, a major problem is confronted. Though innovation in science had a great impact in everyone’s life, it also has a negative impact through the increased use of toxic materials. Recent development and use of biodegradable nano‐based compounds have led to many secured forms of nanomedicines. In this review, we would discuss the more recent findings of nanoparticles related to biodegradation applications and elaborate how their characteristics could influence in various biomedical applications.