Calotropis procera
Calotropis procera, commonly known as giant milkweed or apple of Sodom, is a resilient perennial shrub found in arid regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, its diverse chemical constituents offer significant therapeutic potential, particularly for treating inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues, making it a vital botanical resource worldwide.
- Scientific name: Calotropis procera
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is situated in the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific 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 is widely distributed across several countries located within the Northern Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the landscapes of Algeria. Additionally, the species is well-established throughout the territory of Egypt. Its presence extends further west to include the nation of Libya. Finally, this medicinal plant is also commonly documented in both Morocco and Tunisia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
Chemicals
Calotropis procera has 100 reported phytochemicals identified across 155 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, cardenolides.
- Total chemicals
- 100
- Scientific sources
- 155
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| tannins | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| saponins | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| glycosides | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| cardenolides | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardiac glycosides | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| calotropin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Calotropis procera has 24 reported activities identified across 63 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 63
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antioxidant | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antibacterial | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Calotropis procera has 90 reported medicinal uses identified across 121 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, inflammation, Escherichia coli, analgesic, breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 90
- Scientific sources
- 121
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| inflammation | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |