A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF Calatropis procera LINN

Plants and herbs are being used for the treatment of various diseases since ancient time due to their efficacy and availability. According to the World Health Organization, 80 % world population use herbs or medicinal plants in one or the other way as vegetables, spices, and medicines. These drugs can be used internally and externally to treat various disorders, which are also reported in recent studies. However, there is a need to explore their therapeutic potential by conducting pre-clinical and clinical studies. Numerous plants have been used in human life for various purposes, one such plant is Calatropis procera (C. procera). It has been used since ancient times and also reported to have multidimensional therapeutic activities in Ayurvedic, Arabic, and Unani medicine system. It consists of a variety of chemical constituents including stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, flavonoids, polyphenols, calotropin, calotropagenin, and calotoxin. Recent studies suggest its role in the management of bronchitis, baldness, hair loss, asthma, leprosy, intermittent fevers, eczema, elephantiasis, vertigo, toothache, and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. The present review explores its different pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential as well as its chemical compounds, geographical sources.