Synthesis of bentonite nanoclay and incorporation of cassia fistula leaf extract to form organobentonite: Characterization and its biomedical applications

Abstract

Objective: In this work, methanolic leaf extract from Cassia fistula (known as aragvadha) was incorporated into bentonite nanoclay to form organobentonite. This organobentonite of nanosize was further used for its effective biomedical applications since medicinal clay finds its own advantage over decades. Methods: The bentonite nanoclay was produced by energetic stirring followed by centrifugation and was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The organobentonite was produced using freeze and thaw method. Antioxidant property was studied using Molyneux method, and thrombolytic activity was analyzed using in vitro clot lysis method. Results: The nanosize of bentonite nanoclay between 57 and 82 nm with irregular to spherical shape was confirmed using SEM analysis. The sharp diffraction peak in XRD analysis shows the crystalline nature of bentonite nanoclay, and FTIR results revealed the successful incorporation of the methanolic extract within the bentonite nanoclay. The organobentonite exhibits 84.5% antioxidant property as well as 31% clot lysis activity when compared to the extract and the bentonite nanoclay. Conclusion: Thus, the non-toxic and inexpensive bentonite nanoclay have a high aspect ratio with multifarious applications in medicine, food, cosmetics, and health products. Through this study, the bentonite nanoclay modified using plant alkaloid (organobentonite) is found to possess good biomedical property.