Synthesis and characterization of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets using Saraca indica leaves and their antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer applications

Bio-reduced graphene nanosheets have attracted a lot of interest from the medical community, considering their biocompatible characteristic and enhanced efficacy. The present study involves the phytoreduction of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets using leaf extract of Saraca indica (Si) and the evaluation of in vitro biological effects. The bio-reduction of GO was analyzed using spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, Raman, DLS), thermal stability (TGA), and morphological features using microscopic techniques (SEM, TEM, and AFM). In vitro assays revealed that the bio-reduced SirGO exhibited enhanced radical scavening effect against DPPH radical (74%), bactericidal effect against Gram +ve pathogen: Bacillus subtilis (19 mm) and Gram −ve pathogen: Escherichia coli (15 mm), and maximum cytotoxic effect (51%) against A549 cell line at 500 μg/mL. Based on these observations, it is revealed that the leaf extract of S. indica is an effective bio-reductant for producing rGO nanosheets that could have a relevant scope in formulating nanomedicines. Graphical abstract