Structural Characterization and Biogenic Chitosan-ZnO Nanocomposites via Bauhinia purpurea Leaf Extract: and its their Therapeutic Evaluation

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.