A mini review on Calotropis procera and tapping its phytochemical and pharmacological potential

Abstract

Calotropis procera is considered as a medicinal plant belonging to the Asclepiadaceae family, surrounded throughout India and in other tropical areas. The common names of C. procera are Arka, Akanal, Madar, and Akanda. Based on the morphological characteristics, the leaves of C. procera is characterized as ovate, obovate, ovate-oblong or elliptical. The medicinal value or pharmacological properties of this plant are associated with its latex. C. procera leaves is said to be important antidote against snake bite, burning, rheumatism, mumps and bacterial infections. The phytochemical composition of leaf powder composed of cardenolides, steroids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins. Phytochemical screening of bark also showed the presence of several secondary metabolites. Latex mainly contains calotropaine (cardiotoxic), a proteolytic enzyme and also contains a small percentage of nontoxic proteolytic enzyme, calotropin. The plant has several ecological importance including natural phytoremediation, improvement in soil quality. Mainly, C. procera has great importance throughout world for its great value