Abstract

COMPARITIVE STUDIES REGARDING THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES BETWEEN CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA AND CALOTROPIS PROCERA: A REVIEW

Jyotsana Sharma*

ABSTRACT

Calotropis species is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines. There is Calotropis gigantea known as “SwetaArka “and Calotropis procera known as “RakthaArka”. Commonly, these are known as “milk weed “or “crown flower”. Botanical aspects as well as pharmacological effects are quite similar to each other. These are found on wasteland area and number of medicines are derived from them, either directly or indirectly. The plant is found to be effective in many ways. Latex is found to be used for the treatment of leprosy, eczema, inflammation, cutaneous infections. Traditionally, its roots were powdered and show effective results against Lungs disease and were even used for the treating cough and cold. Flowers are found to possess positive effect for curing piles. It was confirmed that medicinal properties of these herbal plants lie in their secondary constituents. Therefore, on performing, biochemical screening there was observed a good yield of phytoconstituents present in this plant and majority of them were belonging to alkaloidal, saponins, phenolic, flavanoidal and terpinoidal groups. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts were claiming to have anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-microbial, analgesic, anti-bacterial properties. Methanolic extract was claimed to have anti-oxidant properties. This plant is considered as valuable source of medicinal compounds due to its medicinal properties.

Keywords: Calotropis gigantea, Calotropis procera, Medicinal plant, Pharmacological activities.