Phytochemical Investigation on Stem of Calotropis Procera (Ait.) R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

Abstract

Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (Family, Asclepiadaceae) commonly known as Arka is used in many ayurvedic formulations like Arkelavana and is present throughout India and in other warm, dry places such as Afghanistan, Egypt and tropical Africa. Calotropis procera is small, erect and compact shrub, which is used in several traditional medicines to cure various diseases. A study on Calotropis procera stem samples, extracted from the air-dried stem powder with different solvents such as Hexane, Chloroform, Methanol and sterile water. The standardization of stem of Calotropis procera was carried out to establish its macro and microscopical standards, physicochemical parameters and preliminary phytochemical investigation to evaluate the characters of the plant. The preliminary phytochemical analysis was done long with measurement of the leaf constants, fluorescence characteristics and extractive values. Quantitative estimation of total ash value, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash may useful for identification of the powdered drug. The studies suggest that the observed pharmacognostic and physiochemical parameters of Calotropis procera stem are of great value in quality control and formulation development and also curing various ailments.