Crop plants are continuously exposed to abiotic and biotic constraints like salt, drought, heat, heavy metal, ultraviolet, fungi, bacteria, pathogens etc. Plants respond to them by altering their physiology and metabolism. The response is initiated at molecular, cellular and at whole plant level. Plants undergo alterations in growth, photosynthesis, yield and quality attributes when exposed to stresses. Nevertheless, these complex processes are modulated by the application of different kinds of nanoparticles (NPs). In the current times, nanotechnology, as a broad interdisciplinary area of research, finds potential in agriculture regarding plant disease management, pathogen detection and imparting stress tolerance. Nanoparticles at particular concentrations control growth, morpho-physiology and yield attributes under stress conditions. In the present chapter, we attempt to discuss various response alterations initiated by crop plants towards abiotic and biotic stresses, vis-à-vis controlling nature of various NPs doses in protecting these processes under these stress conditions.

Medicinal plants (MPs) account for 70–80% of use in primary care around the world, and this percentage indicates that the number of MP users is high; thus, it is necessary to focus studies on medicinal herbs to ensure their proper use. In addition, MPs have strong genotoxic effects, as some types of MPs can cause DNA damage. Any substance that raises the risk of cancer or a tumor in an organism is called a carcinogen. There are many genotoxic and carcinogenic substances in the environment that can directly or indirectly affect genetic material. There are also nanoparticles (NPs) derived from MPs. Carbon-based NPs contain many nanoscale materials, such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, as well as metals such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), and aluminum (Al). Unfortunately, few studies are concerned with the carcinogenicity of NPs from MPs, whereas many researchers are interested in genotoxic assessment. For this reason, there is an urgent need for more studies into the safety of MPs and NPs. Therefore, this study reviewed the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of MPs and their derived NPs. We also emphasized the need for strict regulation and monitoring of MP usage.

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