Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly recognized for their dual roles in both advancing and posing risks to female reproductive health. Owing to their small size and large surface area, NPs can interact with biological systems in ways that may lead to both therapeutic innovations and toxicological concerns. The impact of NPs on the female reproductive system highlights their potential to disrupt hormone signaling pathways and the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, which are crucial for reproductive health. NPs have shown promise in targeted drug delivery systems, improving therapeutic outcomes for conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and uterine leiomyoma. Advances in nanotechnology have facilitated the development of more sensitive diagnostic tools and innovative treatments, including NP-mediated drug delivery and hyperthermia. However, the accumulation of NPs in reproductive organs raises concerns about their potential toxicity, particularly in terms of oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. This review underscores the need for further research to fully understand the long-term effects of NPs on female reproductive health and to establish safe exposure limits. Additionally, the potential of NPs in gene therapy and tissue-targeted treatment offers a promising avenue for future clinical applications, with the possibility of revolutionizing the diagnosis and management of reproductive disorders.

Vandhana Vijayakumar, Thirumalaikumaran Rathinam, Sharan Raj Rajmohan and Kowsik Elumalai Author informationArticle notesCopyright and License informationCitations Corresponding author. Correspondence: Dr. Thirumalaikumaran Rathinam Department of Pharmacognosy, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai-602105, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Email: thirumalaikumaranr.scop@saveetha.com June 21, 2024; July 06, 2024; August 18, 2024. Copyright ©2022 Phcog.Net This

The growing demand for eco-friendly nanomaterials in biomedical applications has created interest in plant-assisted nanoparticle synthesis. Here, a new green synthesis of chitosan-ZnO nanocomposites using Bauhinia purpurea leaf extract is presented, combining the plant's phytochemical richness with the structural advantage of chitosan and the functional diversity of zinc oxide. The synthesized nanocomposites were exhaustively characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and zeta potential analysis, validating stable, well-dispersed nanoparticles with high surface charge and semi-crystalline morphology. The nanocomposites exhibited remarkable antidiabetic activity through dose-dependent inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, broad antioxidant activity reflected in five radical scavenging assays, and outstanding anti-inflammatory activity established through protein denaturation and membrane stabilization methods. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity evaluation carried out through brine shrimp lethality assay revealed the least toxicity, highlighting the biocompatibility of the materials. This study for the very first time offers a synergistic nanocomposite system consisting of a medicinal plant extract and a natural polymer combined with a metal oxide to provide a safe, sustainable, and multifunctional platform for therapeutic use. The results identify this nanocomposite as a promising candidate for future development towards antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory nanomedicine.