Evaluation of Antiulcer and Cytotoxic Potential of the Leaf, Flower, and Fruit Extracts of Calotropis procera and Isolation of a New Lignan Glycoside

Tapping the potential of Calotropis procera hairy roots for cardiac glycosides production and their identification using UHPLC/QTOF-MS

The present work deals with the establishment of hairy root cultures from different explants of C. procera using Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4. A high transformation frequency (95%) was obtained from leaves followed by cotyledons (81.6%) and hypocotyls (38.3%). Genetic transformation of hairy roots was confirmed through PCR by amplifying a 400 bp fragment of the rolB gene. Hairy roots were highly branched, possessed plagiotropic and rapid growth on hormone-free ½ B5 medium. Ten cardiac glycosides, including calotropagenin, calotoxin, frugoside, coroglaucigenin, calotropin, calactin, uzarigenin, asclepin, uscharidin, and uscharin, based on their specific masses and fragmentation properties were identified in ethanolic extracts of hairy roots by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry UHPLC/QTOF-MS. This protocol could be used as a powerful tool for large-scale in vitro production of highly valued cardiac glycosides and for further transcriptomics or metabolomics studies.

An updated pharmacological insight into calotropin as a potential therapeutic agent in cancer

Calotropin is a pharmacologically active compound isolated from milkweed plants like Calotropis procera, Calotropis gigantea, and Asclepias currasavica that belong to the Asclepiadaceae family. All of these plants are recognised as medical traditional plants used in Asian countries. Calotropin is identified as a highly potent cardenolide that has a similar chemical structure to cardiac glycosides (such as digoxin and digitoxin). During the last few years, cytotoxic and antitumor effects of cardenolides glycosides have been reported more frequently. Among cardenolides, calotropin is identified as the most promising agent. In this updated and comprehensive review, we aimed to analyze and discuss the specific mechanisms and molecular targets of calotropin in cancer treatment to open new perspectives for the adjuvant treatment of different types of cancer. The effects of calotropin on cancer have been extensively studied in preclinical pharmacological studies in vitro using cancer cell lines and in vivo in experimental animal models that have targeted antitumor mechanisms and anticancer signaling pathways. The analyzed information from the specialized literature was obtained from scientific databases until December 2022, mainly from PubMed/MedLine, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases using specific MeSH search terms. The results of our analysis demonstrate that calotropin can be a potential chemotherapeutic/chemopreventive adjunctive agent in cancer pharmacotherapeutic management.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of methanol extract of latex of Calotropis procera in rat model of colorectal cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Preparations derived from the plant Calotropis procera, have been used for medicinal purpose though the plant is known for its toxic effects. The aerial parts of the plant contain latex in plenty and have been found effective in treating disorders of gastrointestinal system and cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the efficacy of C. procera dried latex extract prepared in methanol (MeDL) against inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental model of colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two subcutaneous injections of chemical carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH; 150 mg/kg) were given at an interval of one week to induce CRC in rats. The MeDL (50 and 150 mg/kg) and aspirin (60 mg/kg) were given daily and their effect was evaluated on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation after completion of 8 weeks following second injection of carcinogen. A comparison was made with normal and experimental control groups. The colon tissue levels of glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitrite and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the levels of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for IL-1β.

RESULTS

Induction of cancerous changes in the colon resulted in altered oxidative homeostasis as evident from a reduction in GSH level and SOD activity and rise in TBARS level when compared with normal rats. Elevated levels of nitrite, MPO, TNF-α, PGE₂ and immunoreactivity of IL-1β were also observed in these rats. The levels of these markers were normalized when the rats were treated with MeDL or anti-inflammatory drug, aspirin.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation contributes to the beneficial effect of MeDL in rat model of colon carcinogenesis.

Purification, Partial Characterization, and Evaluation of the Antiulcer Activity of Calotropis procera Leaf Lectin

BACKGROUND

Lectins are proteins with therapeutic and diagnostic potential that can be applied in battling various ailments.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to purify and characterize the hemagglutinating activity derived from the leaves of Calotropis procera and its possible role in protecting the stomach against ethanol-induced lesions.

METHODS

The Calotropis procera leaf lectin (ProLec), was isolated by homogenization of the defatted leaf powder in Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) and purified by affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-100. The lectin was eluted from the affinity column by 3% acetic acid and was physicochemically characterized. In a dose-dependent manner, ProLec was administered to rats with ethanol-induced ulcers, and biochemical, histopathological, and toxicological examinations were performed.

RESULTS

ProLec is a heterodimer of 75 and 68 kDa. It agglutinated all human RBCs, whereas it showed weak interaction with animal erythrocytes. The protein was optimally active at 25 °C and was labile above this temperature. ProLec exhibited two pH optima and was a metalloprotein requiring Ca, Mn, and Ni. It contains 1.6% tryptophan residues of which about 1% is exposed and critical for lectin activity. The lectin exhibited a potent gastroprotective effect against ethanolinduced gastric lesions with no apparent toxicity to both kidneys and liver. Examination of the pH of the gastric juice of lectin-treated animals indicated a possible role of lectin in maintaining stomach acidity within the normal ranges compared to the gastric juice pH of animals that received ethanol only.

CONCLUSION

These results may suggest that ProLec could conceivably be a good future drug for the treatment of gastric ulcers, however, extensive immunological and toxicological research remains to be done.

A review on phytochemical constituents and pharmacological potential of Calotropis procera

Calotropis procera is locally known as Aak or Madar in Hindi, milk weed in English and belongs to the family Apocynaceae and subfamily Asclepiadoideae. Although a wasteland plant, it is of sacred use as its flowers are offered for worshipping Lord Shiva, a Hindu God. Tribes all over the world use the plant in treatment of various diseases like snake bite, body pain, asthma, epilepsy, cancer, sexual disorders, skin diseases and many more. This plant contains various phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, terpenoids, cardenolides, steroids oxypregnanes etc. Though literature searches reveal many reviews about ethnomedicinal uses, chemical composition and pharmacological activities, no recent papers are available that provide an overview of the therapeutic potential and toxicity of Calotropis procera. Hence, the insight of this review is to provide a systemic summary of phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutic potential of Calotropis procera and to highlight the gaps in the knowledge so as to offer inspiration for future research.

Calotropis procera is also known as Aak or Madar. The present review provides a systematic outline of phytochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology and therapeutic potential of Calotropis procera.

Therapeutic Promises of Medicinal Plants in Bangladesh and Their Bioactive Compounds against Ulcers and Inflammatory Diseases

When functioning properly, the stomach is the center of both physical and mental satisfaction. Gastrointestinal disorders, or malfunctioning of the stomach, due to infections caused by various biological entities and physiochemical abnormalities, are now widespread, with most of the diseases being inflammatory, which, depending on the position and degree of inflammation, have different names such as peptic or gastric ulcers, irritable bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis, and so on. While many synthetic drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are now extensively used to treat these diseases, their harmful and long-term side effects cannot be ignored. To treat these diseases safely and successfully, different potent medicinal plants and their active components are considered game-changers. In consideration of this, the present review aimed to reveal a general and comprehensive updated overview of the anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of medicinal plants. To emphasize the efficacy of the medicinal plants, various bioactive compounds from the plant extract, their experimental animal models, and clinical trials are depicted.

Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand (Apocynaceae) as an anti-cancer agent against canine mammary tumor and osteosarcoma cells

Our goal was to evaluate phytochemical characterization and the antitumor potential of Calotropis procera. The phytochemical constitution of the crude extract (CE) revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides and cardenolide. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of CE, methanolic (MF) and ethyl acetate fractions (EAF) of C. procera in canine osteosarcoma cells (OST), canine mammary tumor (CMT), and canine skin fibroblasts (non-tumor cell). Doxorubicin was also used as a positive control. Results showed that CE, MF and EAF promoted a decrease in the viability of OST and CMT cells and did not alter the fibroblasts viability. C. procera also decreased the number of cells, corroborating to the decrease in proliferation and the cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. It was also evaluated the cell morphology by light and fluorescence microscopy, being demonstrated a reduction in cytoplasmic and cell rounding characteristic of programmed cell death. Moreover, flow cytometry data demonstrated that CE treatment promoted increase of caspase-3 and p53, showing that the cell death was activated in OST cells. In addition, there was a decrease in CD31, VEGF, osteopontin and TGF-β after CE treatment, suggesting that CE exerts its antitumor effect by reducing angiogenesis and tumor progression in OST cells. Moreover, CMT cells showed a reduction in PCNA after treatment with MF and CE. Analyzing the data together, C. procera, especially CE, showed an antitumor potential in both OST and CMT cells, encouraging us to continue investigating its use in cancer therapy.

An Overview of the Characteristics and Potential of Calotropis procera From Botanical, Ecological, and Economic Perspectives

Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand. (commonly known as the apple of sodom, calotrope, and giant milkweed) is an evergreen, perennial shrub of the family Apocynaceae, mainly found in arid and semi-arid regions. It is a multipurpose plant, which can be utilized for medicine, fodder, and fuel purposes, timber and fiber production, phytoremediation, and synthesis of nanoparticles. It has been widely used in traditional medicinal systems across North Africa, Middle East Asia, and South-East Asia. At present, it is being extensively explored for its potential pharmacological applications. Several reports also suggest its prospects in the food, textile, and paper industries. Besides, C. procera has also been acknowledged as an ornamental species. High pharmacological potential and socio-economic value have led to the pantropical introduction of the plant. Morpho-physiological adaptations and the ability to tolerate various abiotic stresses enabled its naturalization beyond the introduced areas. Now, it is recognized as an obnoxious environmental weed in several parts of the world. Its unnatural expansion has been witnessed in the regions of South America, the Caribbean Islands, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, Seychelles, and several Pacific Islands. In Australia, nearly 3.7 million hectares of drier areas, including rangelands and Savannahs, have been invaded by the plant. In this review, multiple aspects of C. procera have been discussed including its general characteristics, current and potential uses, and invasive tendencies. The objectives of this review are a) to compile the information available in the literature on C. procera, to make it accessible for future research, b) to enlist together its potential applications being investigated in different fields, and c) to acknowledge C. procera as an emerging invasive species of arid and semi-arid regions.

Acaricidal efficacy of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae) and Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae) against Rhipicephalus microplus from Mardan, Pakistan

Medicinal plants are used by traditional folk healers, modern physicians, and veterinarians as an alternative to conventional drugs to treat a wide range of disorders including parasitic diseases. Some compounds from these plants have been shown to have acaricidal activity and repel arthropods. The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is one of the most destructive pests to the livestock industry in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. The potential to develop herbal acaricides to control R. microplus infestations is critical in maintaining cattle herd productivity, reducing economic losses, and curtailing the overuse of synthetic chemical acaricides. Calotropis procera, the apple of Sodom, and Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, were evaluated for acaricidal activity against R. microplus larvae and adults in vitro. Both plant species tested are common indigenous species of Pakistan where R. microplus infestations are widespread across livestock species including cattle, sheep, and goats. Whole-plant extracts derived from C. procera and T. officinale significantly reduced the index of egg laying (P < 0.01) and increased the percent inhibition of oviposition of adult female ticks at a concentration of 40 mg/mL when assessed by the adult immersion test (AIT). Calotropis procera and T. officinale treatments at the same concentration also resulted in larval mortality of 96.0% ± 0.57 and 96.7% ± 0.88, respectively, as measured using the larval packet test (LPT). An increasing range of extract concentrations was tested to determine the LD₅₀ and LD₉₀ for C. procera, 3.21 and 21.15 mg/mL, respectively, and T. officinale, 4.04 and 18.92 mg/mL, respectively. These results indicate that further studies are warranted to determine the relative contribution of individual phytochemicals from whole-plant extracts on acaricidal activity. This information will guide the design of further acaricidal efficacy tests using livestock infested with R. microplus.