Bentonite

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Cat Number

PIVE-0032

CAS Number

1302-78-9

For research use only. We do not supply to patients.

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CAS Number

1302-78-9

Storage

Room temp

Molecular Formula

H2Al2O12Si4

Molecular Weight

360.31

Smiles

O.[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.[Al+3].[Al+3]

Appearance

Gel, or solid when it is dry

Melting Point

> 1200°C

Boiling Point

381.8°C at 760 mmHg

Standard

USP/NF

General Description

Bentonites are clay rocks that have resulted from the alteration of volcanic glass. The main mineral component is montmorillonite (smectite), which is a hydrous aluminous sheet silicate with exchangeable interlayer cations, usually calcium and sodium. Many bentonites have a broad range of important physical and chemical properties and are used extensively in industrial applications. Properties of bentonites include their crystal structures and mineralogy, small particle size, large specific surface area, high ion and cation exchange capacity, swelling index, colloidal properties, dehydration characteristics, and reactions with organic and inorganic reagents.

Mechanism of Action

The high points of Bentonite in the area of pharmaceutical and biomedical applications are that it can be improved by organoleptic, solubility, stability, and the ability to protect the skin against external physical damage. The basic pH value of Bentonite helps to increase the absorption of class II (IB) drugs by increasing their solubility. Furthermore, it also raises the pH level of the stomach which could also shorten the emptying time in the stomach. The advantage of this is that it can be a positive effect on patient compliance by reducing the residency time of the medication in the stomach. The expected decrease in the residence time can also reduce the irritating influence of these medicines on the stomach.

Application

Bentonite is used in multiple applications from oil and gas drilling, construction, building and repair, agriculture, environmental remediation, and pharmaceutics. More recently, it has found use in the production of nanocomposites. Natural clays are also widely used in biomedicine as excipients and active drug ingredients for the treatment of gastrointestinal, inflammatory, diarrhea, and skin diseases. In pharmaceutical formulations, they are used as disintegrants, lubricants, anticaking agents, emulsifiers, and even as carriers for controlled release of drugs. Bentonite also is added to various personal care products such as face masks and skin care treatments due to its absorbent and detoxifying properties.

Bentonite is an appropriate excipient, which is considered Montmorillonite (MMT) for developing drug carriers with excellent physicochemical properties. Drug molecules intercalate into interlayers of MMT because of the high cation exchange capacity and large specific surface area. Intercalation of drugs into MMT was confirmed by an ion-exchange reaction between sodium ions in the interlayer of clay and TM molecules. Ion-exchange reaction occurred rapidly within an hour.
In vitrol release studies showed that drug release from MMT hybrid in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids is sustained and controlled. There is not burst effect of TM, but a gradual drug release pattern is observed. Release of TM from MMT is found to be slow. Such incomplete release is due to an interplay of ion-exchange between the intercalated TM and the buffer ions and electrostatic attraction with the negatively charged solid surface. MMT has proven itself to be a suitable drug carrier as it can greatly improve the pharmacological efficacy of the entrapped drug molecules by providing them with controlled release attributes.

Fig. 1 Possible structural arrangement of MMT–TM. (Joshi G V, et al. 2009)

References

Joshi G V, et al. Montmorillonite as a drug delivery system: intercalation and in vitro release of timolol maleate. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2009, 374(1-2): 53-57.

Hydrogels show great potential as wound dressings. However, conventional hydrogels often lack mechanical strength and antimicrobial activity. Ebrahimnejad P et al. developed a new sodium alginate-based metformin-loaded bentonite (Met-Ben) nanocomposite hydrogel with improved properties for wound healing applications. The nanocomposite hydrogel showed improved mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and controlled drug release.
Metformin was loaded into bentonite nanoparticles using the ion exchange method with an entrapment efficiency of 75.6% and drug loading of 27.7%. The loading of Metformin not only provided controlled release of the drug but also accelerated wound healing by modulating inflammation and promoting collagen synthesis. The in vivo results showed accelerated wound closure (85% at day 14), increased collagen deposition, and improved fibroblast maturation, re-epithelialization, and neovascularization compared to the control. The gene expression analysis also revealed downregulation of TNF-α and IL-1β and upregulation of TGF-β, indicating the modulation of inflammation and promotion of tissue regeneration.

Fig. 2 Metformin/bentonite nanocomposite hydrogel for enhanced wound healing. (Ebrahimnejad P, et al. 2025)

References

Ebrahimnejad P, et al. Sustained-release sodium alginate-based metformin/bentonite nanocomposite hydrogel for enhanced wound healing. Bentonite Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Enhanced Wound Healing. 2025.

Is Bentonite packaged to prevent moisture absorption?

Yes, Bentonite is packaged with moisture-resistant materials for protection.

Can I track my Bentonite order shipment?

Yes, tracking information will be provided once your Bentonite order ships.

What sizes are available for Bentonite packaging?

We offer Bentonite in various sizes, from small jars to large bags.

Is there a minimum order quantity for Bentonite?

Yes, minimum order quantities apply for some Bentonite items.