A reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Fe3O4 based nanocomposite with palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) has been synthesized via a green route by Withania coagulans leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent and its catalytic activity has been tested for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in water at room temperature. The hydroxyl groups of phenolics in W. coagulans leaf extract is directly responsible for the reduction of Pd2+, Fe3+ ions and GO. The nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, due to the magnetic separability and high stability of the composite the catalyst can be recovered and recycled several times without marked loss of activity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.