Calotropis procera (Madar): A Medicinal Plant of Various Therapeutic Uses-A Review

Calotropis procera R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) has been known to the traditional systems of medicine and plant known as Madar in Unani medicinal system. Widely it is used medicinally, to treat boils, infected wounds and other skin problems in people. Calotropis procera is regarded as useful medicinal plant and used in folk medicine. This plant is popularly known because it produces large quantity of latex. Medicinal plants have no doubt remained the major sources of traditional medicine worldwide. A scrutiny of literature revealed some notable pharmacological activities of the plant such as Analgesic, hepatoprotective, anti-diarrhoeal, antidiabetic, antimalarial, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antifertility and antioxidant activity. The present review is an attempt to highlight the various ethanobotenical and traditional uses as well as phytochemical and pharmacological reports on Calotropis procera.