Plant extract synthesized silver nanoparticles: An ongoing source of novel biocompatible materials

•The advantages of using plant extracts for biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles were discussed.•The phytochemicals responsible for the reduction of silver ions into silver nanoparticles were reviewed and their chemical structures were presented.•Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of plant extract synthesized silver nanoparticles were discussed in detail.