Calotropis gigantea
Calotropis gigantea, commonly known as Giant Milkweed or Crown Flower, is a resilient perennial shrub found in tropical regions. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, this plant contains bioactive compounds used to treat inflammatory conditions, skin diseases, and digestive issues. Its milky latex and nectar hold significant therapeutic and ecological value.
- Scientific name: Calotropis gigantea
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Calotropis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Calotropis | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several diverse regions. In East Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Kenya and Tanzania. Its range extends into South Tropical Africa, where it is present in Angola and Mozambique. Additionally, the species is located in the China South-Central region. These scattered locations demonstrate the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical and subtropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Chemicals
Calotropis gigantea has 43 reported phytochemicals identified across 54 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, cardenolides, terpenoids, beta-sitosterol, saponins.
- Total chemicals
- 43
- Scientific sources
- 54
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardenolides | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Desmosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MgO | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Calotropis gigantea has 12 reported activities identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytostatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hemolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Calotropis gigantea has 34 reported medicinal uses identified across 39 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bleeding, breast cancer, leprosy, rheumatoid arthritis, wound healing.
- Total uses
- 34
- Scientific sources
- 39
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bleeding | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leprosy | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helminthiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |