calotropis gigantea

Calotropis gigantea is a large shrub native to South and Southeast Asia, commonly called the Crown flower or Giant milkweed. It is used extensively in traditional Indian medicine systems including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Chinese medicine. All parts of the plant, especially latex, root, bark, and leaves, possess pharmacological activities attributed to bioactive constituents like alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides (e.g., calotropin), and quinones[2][3][5]. Proposed mechanisms include antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and wound healing effects[2][3][5]. Traditionally, it is used for conditions such as skin, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and neurological disorders, as well as fever, leprosy, eczema, syphilis, elephantiasis, ulceration, cough, asthma, diarrhea, and joint pain[1][3][4][5][7][8]. Its extracts have shown cytotoxicity against some cancer cell lines in vitro[1]. The plant contains potent cardiac glycosides, which can be toxic in high doses, especially affecting heart function[8].

Brand names

Crown flower

Other names

Giant milkweedArkaAkadaAkAkraBowstring of IndiaRuhi