Calotropis Species-A Comprehensive Review

Calotropis Species-A Comprehensive Review

Author Name : Toliya A, Dutta D, Aslam R, Bhatt V, Budhori A, Sultana F

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2024.120924630

ABSTRACT In the traditional medicinal system, there are vast no. of plants which are used to cure a no. of diseases, Calotropis is one of themCalotropis gigantea, Calotropis procera and Calotropis acia belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae, are commonly known by the name of milkweed. In Hindi, they are known by the name of Safed aak, Sveta Arka while as in English, they are known by the name of Crown Flower and Bowstring hemp. These are well known for their various medicinal properties. On the large scale, these plants are cultivated in India, China and Malaysia. These species of the Calotropis are differentiated on the basis of their flower, i.e. Calotropis gigantea have the purple coloured flowers while as the Calotropis procerahave the white colored flowers.The plants are generally cultivated through vegetative propagationby stem and root cutting. On doing the phytochemical study it is found that it’s havingno. of compounds like Cardenolide, Tri-terpenoids, alkaloids resins, anthocyanins and proteolytic enzymes, flavonoids tannins, sterols, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Leaves constitute amyrin, amyrin acetate andursolic acid, while as the latex constitute calotropin, calotoxin calactin and flowerhave flavonoids, quercetin- 3- rutinoside, sterol and calactin. Traditionally,all parts of plant were used as cure. These plants are well known for their analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-pyretic, insecticidal, cytotoxicity, hepatoprotective, coagulant, wound healing activity andpregnancy interceptive, purgative properties.C. gigantea is having many therapeutic properties, flower of this have analgesic,antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. Also roots have the anti pyretic and cytotoxic activity. Root in powder form is used in respiratory tract problems. Leaves have the qualities to treat mumps, burns and body pain. Latex is used in dermal fungal infection and microbial infections. Flowers have the property for treating cough, asthma, indigestion, and cholera. Further study on Calotropis will lend us many medicines and play a vital role in pharma and health sector.