ABSTRACT
The dried latex of Calotropis gigantean L. was tested for its analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in mice. The latex significantly and dose dependently inhibited acetic acid induced writhing by 79.13% and 39.4% at 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight, respectively, comparable to diclofenac sodium. The antioxidant activity was determined qualitatively based on the scavenging activity of 1,1-dipheny 1-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical showing the presence of antioxidant principle. In brine shrimp lethality assay the latex was toxic with LC[50] and LC[90] values of 1.7 micro g/ml and 10 micro g/ ml, respectively. These results suggest that latex possess analgesic and antioxidant activities supporting its traditional uses. However, C. gigantea latex should be used with caution as it also showed toxicity, but more experiments are required in its support