Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA (AIT) R. BR.)

Sunita Nirala*, Radha Gupta and Suroj Kaushik

ABSTRACT

Calotropis procera (Ait) R.Br.) is one of the most important plant widely cultivated in India,afghanistan and other countries also. It belongs to family Asclepiadaceae. This plant is widely used as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antitumour, treatment of leucoderma, ulcer, rheumatoid, arthritis, wound healing jaundice. The plant is also known as arka,ak and madhar.It is also known as milkweed family.The plant every part is medicinal feature.It contains rich source of antioxidant compounds.Antioxidant compounds play an important role in preventing or delaying the onset of major degenerative diseases. The physiological role of antioxidant compounds is to scavenge for free radicals. Active oxygen (hydroxyl, peroxylradicals and single toxygen) is highly toxic and animportant causative agent of many diseases including cancer, heart disease, cataract andcongestive disorders. Antioxidant compounds block the oxidation processes that produce freeradicals which contribute towards these chronic diseases and aging Different types of active phytoconstituents like alkaloids, carbohydtates, saponins, tannin, steroids, glycosides, phenlic compounds are present .This plant is also occur in dry region area.The present review discusses the phytochemical composition, medicinal uses & Antioxidant activity of this plant.

Keywords: Calotropis procera, Phytochemical screening, Antioxidant, DPPH Scavenging activity, Determination of total phenol content, Determination of total flavonoid content.