PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA

Abstract

According to WHO, 80% world population is based on the herbal medicines for the basic healthcare
requirements may be due to their safety and efficacy. Calotropis procera Ait. (C. Procera) is described
in the Ayurveda as upvisha due to its toxic nature. Despite of its toxic nature plat is found to have
various pharmacolofical activities like analgesic, antidiarrhoeal, wound healing, antiarthratic,
antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial etc. Calotropis procera is a milk weed and this plant
shows occurrence of triterpenoids along with tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides and bioflavonoids
compounds. The latex of plant is toxic and the excessive intake of arkaksira causes vomiting,
diarrhoea, polyurea and burning sensation in the tongue. Hence proper care should be taken while
using this plant