Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Calotropis gigantea — An update

Calotropis gigantea is a perennial herb known for its applications in traditional medicine. It has been efficiently used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicinal systems for years. All the plant parts have been used as medicine owing to its analgesic, anthelmintic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, sedative, anti-asthmatic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, procoagulant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, and pregnancy interceptive properties. For instance, the leaves, latex, flowers, stem bark, root of the plant are used as expectorant, depilatory, in leprosy scabies of the scalp, eruptions on the body, piles, asthma, liver and spleen enlargement, and painful joint swellings. Moreover, the plant is beneficial for the treatment of various diseases including tumors, ulcers, and piles thereby providing great opportunity to be used in pharmaceutical industry for modern drug synthesis. Phytochemical constituents of the plant responsible for its pharmacological activities include alkaloids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, alcohol, fatty acids, esters of calotropeols, glycosides and proteases. Besides, there is a strong correlation between the chemical structures and therapeutic activity of C. gigantea. Therefore, present review tries to give a brief description of its phytochemical composition, ethnobotanical characteristics, and pharmacological activity.

Therapeutic potential of Calotropis gigantea extract against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: In vitro and in vivo study

Objective: To characterize the antifungal activity of methanolic leaf extract of Calotropis gigantea alone or in combination with amphotericin B against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in mice. Methods: GC/MS was used for analysis of active constituents of Calotropis gigantea extract. Spore germination assay and broth micro-dilution method were used to determine antifungal potential of Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus. Neutropenic mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups: group 1 was neutropenic (control); group 2 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus; group 3 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus, and treated with Calotropis gigantea extract; group 4 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus and treated with amphotericin B; group 5 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus and treated with both Calotropis gigantea extract and amphotericin B. Fresh lung tissues were histopathologically examined. Fungal burden and gliotoxin concentration were evaluated in lung tissues. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde content were determined in lung tissues. Myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, and interleukin-17 were also estimated by the sandwich enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay. Results: Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B had a minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of 80 and 160 μg/mL, respectively, for Aspergillus fumigatus. Additionally, Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B significantly reduced lung fungal burden by 72.95% and inhibited production of gliotoxin in lung tissues from 6 320 to 1 350 μg/g lung. Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B reduced the oxidative stress of the lung via elevating the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidation. Myeloperoxidase activity and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also significantly reduced. Scanning electron microscopy revealed deteriorations in the hyphae ultrastructure in Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B treated Aspergillus fumigatus and leak of cellular components after damage of the cell wall. In vivo study revealed the suppression of lung tissue damage in mice of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which was improved with Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B compared to the control group. Conclusions: Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B is a promising treatment to reduce lung fungal burden and to improve the drugs' therapeutic effect against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Comparative Acaricidal Bioefficacy Of Spilanthes Acmella And Calotropis Procera Of Eastern Himalayan Region Against Cattle Tick

In this study, relative toxicity of Spilanthes acmella and Calotropis procera wasevaluated against adults and larvae of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The aerial part ofboth plants materials were collected from Eastern Himalayan Region (West Bengal) of India.Plant materials were washed, shade dried, coarsely ground, methanol extracted and dried byrotary evaporator and collected proper yield of extracts. The crude methanolic extracts werefurther fractionated using solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform) of different polarity andfinally aqueous fraction was collected and dried. Methanolic crude extracts and their fractions(hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous) concentrations of both the plants weretested against the engorged adult females and cultured larvae of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)microplus. The bioefficacy observations are shown in table 3 and mentioned LC50, LC90 andtheir related statistics. Adult and larval stages were significantly affected by the chloroformextract of both the plants selected and observed the most potent with LC50 50.22 and 13.86mg/ml of Calotropis procera and LC50 60.94 and 25.82 mg/ml of Spilanthes acmella.

Toxicological characterization and central nervous system effects of Calotropis procera Ait. Aqueous extracts in mice

Objective: To evaluate the toxicological and psychotropic properties of Calotropis (C.) procera. Methods: C. procera leaves and root-bark aqueous extracts were evaluated for their toxic and behavioral effects using adult mice. Toxicity studies were carried out using Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 407 for acute and subacute evaluation. Behavioral studies were performed using traction test, fireplace test, hole-board test and forced-swimming test to evaluate the sedative, anxiety and depressive-like activities of the extracts. Results: Very low acute toxicity was observed in mice that received both leaves and root-bark extracts. The subacute test showed some morphological, biochemical and hematological changes in the treated groups. Behavioral assessment demonstrated anxiety effects on mice for C. procera leaf extract (400 mg/kg of body weight). Conclusions: The acute use of C. procera (leaves and root-barks) aqueous extracts could be considered as low toxic. However, their repeated uses could have harmful effect on some organs. Likewise, a single dose up to 400 mg/kg body weight of these extracts produce no sedative or depressive-like effect, but they possess possible dose dependent anxiety effect. Yet, more studies are necessary to relate these results to the chemical profile of the plant extracts.

Toxicological characterization and central nervous system effects of Calotropis procera Ait. Aqueous extracts in mice

Objective: To evaluate the toxicological and psychotropic properties of Calotropis (C.) procera. Methods: C. procera leaves and root-bark aqueous extracts were evaluated for their toxic and behavioral effects using adult mice. Toxicity studies were carried out using Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 407 for acute and subacute evaluation. Behavioral studies were performed using traction test, fireplace test, hole-board test and forced-swimming test to evaluate the sedative, anxiety and depressive-like activities of the extracts. Results: Very low acute toxicity was observed in mice that received both leaves and root-bark extracts. The subacute test showed some morphological, biochemical and hematological changes in the treated groups. Behavioral assessment demonstrated anxiety effects on mice for C. procera leaf extract (400 mg/kg of body weight). Conclusions: The acute use of C. procera (leaves and root-barks) aqueous extracts could be considered as low toxic. However, their repeated uses could have harmful effect on some organs. Likewise, a single dose up to 400 mg/kg body weight of these extracts produce no sedative or depressive-like effect, but they possess possible dose dependent anxiety effect. Yet, more studies are necessary to relate these results to the chemical profile of the plant extracts.

Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera root in wistar rats

Background: Free radicals generated as by-products of metabolism can cause damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. They are scavenged by endogenous antioxidant mechanisms. But when these mechanisms are overwhelmed, free radicals can cause toxicity. There is a need to identify new antioxidant compounds. Hence the current study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera roots in Wistar rats.Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (control) were administered vehicle. Group 2 received DMBA (30mg/kg BW, single dose) intraperitoneally on day 5. Group 3 was pre-treated with Calotropis procera root extract (500mg/kg BW) orally for 5 days. On day 5, they were given DMBA injection 2 hrs after the extract. Group 4 rats received only root extract for 5 days. All rats were sacrificed on day 6 and samples were analysed for TBARS, conjugated dienes and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) levels.Results: The levels of TBARS, conjugated dienes were significantly increased, and antioxidant enzymes were decreased in group 2 both in plasma and erythrocytes. Pretreatment with C. procera root extract (group 3) has normalized the TBARS and conjugated dienes levels in plasma but in erythrocytes, TBARS levels are elevated. GPx activity was significantly decreased in both plasma and erythrocytes and SOD activity was decreased in erythrocytes. CAT activity was comparable to control group. Group 4 rats showed TBARS, conjugated dienes and antioxidant enzymes levels comparable to control.Conclusions: The present study establishes that Calotropis procera root extract has antioxidant activity in wistar rats.

Proximate Analysis and Time Killing Kinetics of Calotropis procera Extracts on Some Selected Pathogens

The proximate composition and time killing kinetics of the leaf and stem extracts of Calotropis procera were carried out. The proximate composition showed moisture content of (10.45 and 9.78%), protein (16.20 and 8.15%), fat (1.99 and 0.96%), ash (14.32 and 6.39%), crude fibre (6.73 and 23.23%) and carbohydrate (49.49 and 51.49%) for leaf and the stem respectively. Twelve pathogenic bacteria and five fungi species were obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo-State and typed cultures of the organisms were collected from National Institute of Medical Research (American type culture collection centre (ATCC), USA). The time-kill studies are important because comprehensive information about pharmacodynamics of a putative antibacterial agent may not be gained simply through endpoints such as Minimum Inhibitory Concentration. This study is done to examine the time-frame required for the microbes to be killed. It was determined on each isolates with the extracts taken at their Minimum Inhibition Concentration values. The study was evaluated in hours of 0 hr, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs and 96 hrs, the methanol leaf extract kill most of the organisms within 24 hrs while aqueous leaf extract was unable to kill most of the organisms under 48 hrs.

Aislamiento y caracterizacion parcial de fracciones con actividad ribonucleasa a partir del latex de calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton y pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) poit / Isolation and partial characterization of fractions with ribonuclease activity from latex of calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton and pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) poit

Con el objetivo de aislar y caracterizar parcialmente las enzimas ribonucleasas (RNasas) contenidas en el látex de Calotropis procera y Pedilanthus tithymaloides, se colectaron muestras de plantas adultas. Las proteínas solubles fueron extraídas con acetato de sodio y centrifugación a 16.000 x g durante 15 min y fraccionadas por cromatografía de intercambio iónico. Se estimó la masa molecular a través de ecuaciones de regresión lineal. Se realizaron pruebas de glicosilación. En ambas especies, las proteínas con actividad RNasa presentaron una masa molecular entre 28 y 30 kDa. No existe evidencia de proteínas glicosiladas en el látex de C. procera. En P. tithymaloides la RNasa es una proteína glicosilada.

In order to isolate and characterize partially ribonucleases (RNases) enzymes contained in the latex from Calotropis procera and Pedilanthus tithymaloides, samples were collected from mature plants. Soluble proteins were extracted with sodium acetate and centrifugation at 16,000 xg for 15 min and fractionated by ion exchange chromatography. Molecular mass was estimated by linear regression equations. Glycosylation tests were conducted. In both species, proteins with RNase activity showed a molecular mass between 28 and 30 kDa. No evidence of glycosylated proteins in latex from C. procera. In P. tithymaloides, RNase may be a glycosylated protein.

Cytotoxicity Property of Biologically Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles from Aqueous Leaf Extract of Calotropis procera (Apple of Sodom) on MCF-7 Cell Line.

The use of gold nanoparticle in drug delivery has emerged as a promising avenue to reduced toxicity and frequency of dosage while maintaining therapeutic effects and biocompatibility. Therefore, the possibility of developing eco-friendly metallic gold nanoparticles is evaluated. To achieve this, aqueous leave extracts of Calotropis procera was used to synthesis gold nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effect was investigated. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) produced were characterized using Ultra Violet–Visible spectroscopy, Zeta-sizer nano, High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) spectroscopy and Fourier Transmission Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The cytotoxic ability of the synthesized gold nanoparticles was evaluated on MCF-7 cell using MTT assay. The result of Ultra Violet–Visible spectroscopy showed development of gold nanoparticle reaction at 550 nm of Surface Plasmon Resonance and average particle size of 45 nm was confirmed using nano Zeta-sizer. EDAX profile result suggested the presence of gold at 2.30ke while FTIR result confirms the presence of biomolecules serving as reducing and capping agents on the synthesized gold nanoparticle with a strong signal at 3426 cm of the hydroxyl group of alcohol or phenol. The cytotoxic effect of the synthesis gold nanoparticles shows cell viability decreased as the concentration of AuNPs increased from 0.156 mg to 5 mg with an IC50 of 0.312 mg/l. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the bioreductive capability of aqueous leaf extract of Calotropis procera to produced gold nanoparticle and its cytotoxicity effect on MCF-7cell line.

Chemical constituents of Calotropis gigantea L. and their anticancer activity / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-cancer components of Calotropis gigantean L. METHODS: The powdered whole plants of C. gigantea were extracted with 95% alcohol. After removal of the solvent, the residue was extracted with petroleum ether and chloroform, and the compounds in the chloroform extract were isolated and purified by different column chromatograghies carried out on silica gel, RP-18, MCI, and Sephadex LH - 20 and their structures were elucidated by spectral data. RESULTS: Thirteen compounds were isolated and their structures were characterized as gofruside(1), uzarigenin(2), arjunolic acid(3), 3ξ-(1ξ-hydroxyethyl) -7-hydroxy-1-isobenzofuranone(4), daucosterol(5), syringaresinol(6), 12-O-benzoyl-deacylmetaplexigenin(7), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid(8), oleanolic acid(9), β-sitosterol(10), methyl 1-naphthaleneacetate(11), butylparaben(12), α-D-oleandropyranoside(13), and compounds 2 - 4, 6- 9, and 11 - 13 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxicity against HLE, K562, RPMI8226, MCF7, MDA, and WM9 cell lines, with K562 and RPMI8226 being the most sensitive cells. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 and 2 are premilinarily judged as the anti-cancer components in C. gigantean.

Antimicrobial Activity of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis And Calotropis Gigantea Against Various Pathogens.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Calotropis gigantea are common weed and known for various medicinal properties. The aim of the present study was to screen leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and roots of Calotropis gigantea for the antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of bacteria. The leaf and root extract were obtained by the organic solvents methanol. The methanolic extract of the E. camaldulensis and C. gigantea was studied for its antagonistic activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella paratyphi. The results obtained from this study inferred that the leaf extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis was effectively inhibited the growth of test organism, while Calotropis gigantae did not show the activity which is in combination with E. camaldulensis shows the more activity against all pathogens.

Comparative botanical and phytochemical evaluation of Calotropis procera Linn. and Calotropis gigantea Linn. Root.

The present study aimed to develop pharmacognostical and phytochemical descriptors (HPTLC) of Calotropis procera and Calotropis gigantea. β-sitosterol which is one of the common terpene content and a potent antioxidant, purgative, antispasmodic and expectorant, has also been studied through a simple and high-precision method using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). This may be utilized by pharmaceutical industries for quality evaluation, ensuring successful commercial exploitation of this drug. From the present study it has been observed that both Calotropis procera and C. gigantea have similar microscopic characteristics, physico-chemical parameters showed a little variation as total ash components and extractive values are little less in C. gigantea. HPTLC studies also showed similar qualitative profile with some quantitative variations in total β-sitosterol, which was higher in C. gigantea (2.79%).

Cytotoxicity assessment of aqueous extract from root barks of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. in human intestinal Caco-2 and mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cell lines.

Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br (Asclepiadaceae) is a species widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as sickle cell disease, asthma and cancer. In Burkina Faso, it enter in the composition of FACA® in combination with Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam (Rutaceae), drug used in sickle cell disease treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of aqueous extract of root barks of the plant on cell lines to increase the safe use of FACA®. MTT and Neutral Red assays performed on Caco-2 and Neuro-2a cell lines revealed that aqueous extract from root barks of Calotropis procera are cytotoxic on these cell lines. DNA fragmentation assay on Caco-2 cell showed DNA smearing reflecting a degradation of nuclear material that indicates a possible genotoxicity. Altogether, it comes out that the most sensitive cell line is the human colorectal carcinoma Caco-2 cells. Comparatively the active compounds of Calotropis procera do not affect the mice nervous system cells in the same dramatic extent. Our results strongly suggest that patients under treatment of FACA® must respect doses prescribed in order to avoid adverse side effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Sedative and anxiolytic effects of ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae) leaves

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate possible anxiogenic activity, sedative property and anxiolytic potential of crude ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea leaves.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The anxiogenic activity of crude ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea leaves was evaluated using standard animal behavioral models, such as hole cross and open field; sedative property and anxiolytic potential were evaluated by conducting thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests and elevated plus-maze test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The crude ethanolic extract exhibited a significant (P<0.05, P<0.001) decrease of motor activity and exploratory behavior in hole cross and open field tests. The extract also markedly increased both the number of visits to and time spent in the corners of the open field. The extract treated rats spent more time in the open arm of elevated plus-maze, showing its antianxiety activity. There was a decrease in the locomotor activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The obtained results provide support for the use of this species in traditional medicine and warrant further investigation to isolate the specific components that are responsible for the sedative and anxiolytic effects. Components from this plant may have a great potential value as medicinal agents, as leads or model compounds for synthetic or semi synthetic structure modifications and optimization, and as neuropharmacological probes.</p>

Sedative and anxiolytic effects of ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae) leaves

Objective: To evaluate possible anxiogenic activity, sedative property and anxiolytic potential of crude ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea leaves.Methods:evaluated using standard animal behavioral models, such as hole cross and open field; sedative property and anxiolytic potential were evaluated by conducting thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests and elevated plus-maze test. The anxiogenic activity of crude ethanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea leaves was Results: The crude ethanolic extract exhibited a significant (P<0.05, P<0.001) decrease of motor activity and exploratory behavior in hole cross and open field tests. The extract also markedly increased both the number of visits to and time spent in the corners of the open field. The extract treated rats spent more time in the open arm of elevated plus-maze, showing its antianxiety activity. There was a decrease in the locomotor activity.Conclusions:The obtained results provide support for the use of this species in traditional medicine and warrant further investigation to isolate the specific components that are responsible for the sedative and anxiolytic effects. Components from this plant may have a great potential value as medicinal agents, as leads or model compounds for synthetic or semi synthetic structure modifications and optimization, and as neuropharmacological probes.

Antimicrobial activity of latex silver nanoparticles using Calotropis procera

Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green methods using serum latex of Calotropis procera at 80 °C and evaluate them against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi comparing with the activity of untreated latex.Methods:The synthesis of AgNPs was performed by mixing 3% latex serum extract with the same volume of silver nitrate (2 mmol/L) solution in round flask and heating in water bath at 80 °C. Characterization of silver particles were determined using UV-vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of the green synthesized AgNPs was determined against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi and compared to the crude untreated latex by agar-well diffusion methods.Results:Biosynthesis of latex silver nanoparticles was successfully obtained by green method. The formation of AgNPs has been confirmed by UV-vis, TEM microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. TEM analysis showed that synthesized AgNPs are highly stable spherical shaped particles, well dispersed with a diameter ranged from 4 nm up to 25 nm and an average size of 12.33 nm. AgNPs showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia sp.) and antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans and Aspergillus terreus.Conclusions:It can be concluded that serum latex of Calotropis procera was found to display strong potential for the synthesis of AgNPs as antimicrobial agents through rapid reduction of silver ions (Ag+ to Ag0). The green synthesized AgNPs were found to show higher antimicrobial efficacy than crude latex.

Antimicrobial activity of latex silver nanoparticles using Calotropis procera

Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green methods using serum latex of Calotropis procera at 80 °C and evaluate them against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi comparing with the activity of untreated latex. Methods: The synthesis of AgNPs was performed by mixing 3% latex serum extract with the same volume of silver nitrate (2 mmol/L) solution in round flask and heating in water bath at 80°C. Characterization of silver particles were determined using UV-vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of the green synthesized AgNPs was determined against bacteria, dermatophytes and phytopathogenic fungi and compared to the crude untreated latex by agar-well diffusion methods. Results: Biosynthesis of latex silver nanoparticles was successfully obtained by green method. The formation of AgNPs has been confirmed by UV-vis, TEM microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. TEM analysis showed that synthesized AgNPs are highly stable spherical shaped particles, well dispersed with a diameter ranged from 4 nm up to 25 nm and an average size of 12.33 nm. AgNPs showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia sp.) and antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans and Aspergillus terreus. Conclusions: It can be concluded that serum latex of Calotropis procera was found to display strong potential for the synthesis of AgNPs as antimicrobial agents through rapid reduction of silver ions (Ag

Evaluation of antihyperglycaemic activity of Calotropis procera leaves extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats

Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton,Apocynaceae, popularly known as "algodão-de-seda", is a wild African bush, rich in bioactive substances that determine the medicinal potential of this species. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects about 10% of the population. This study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of C. procera of occurrence in coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. The hydroalcholic extract of the leaves of C. procera (300 and 600 mg/kg/day), vehicle, insulin (6U, s.c.) or metformin (500 mg/ kg/day) were administered orally to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n = 7/group) for four weeks. Changes in body weight, food and water intake, biochemical markers, fasting glucose levels and oral glucose tolerance test were evaluated. The results showed that the C. procera dried extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced significantly the level of blood glucose throughout the evaluation period and improved metabolic status of the animals and ameliorate the oral tolerance glucose test. The phytochemical screening revealed and quantified the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in a percentage of 29.1 and 2.9%, respectively. Thus, we conclude that the extract of the leaves of C. procera has antihyperglycemic activity.

Acaricidal activity of synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Calotropis gigantea against Rhipicephalus microplus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the acaricidal activity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) synthesized from flower aqueous extract of Calotropis gigantea(C. gigantea) against the larvae of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus [R. (B.) microplus] and the adult of Haemaphysalis bispinosa (H. bispinosa).@*METHODS@#The lyophilized C. gigantea flower aqueous extract of 50 mg was added with 100 mL of TiO(OH)2 (10 mM) and magnetically stirred for 6 h. Synthesized TiO2 NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The synthesised TiO2 NPs were tested against the larvae of R. (B.) microplus and adult of H. bispinosa were exposed to filter paper impregnated method.@*RESULTS@#XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles with the mean size of 10.52 nm. The functional groups for synthesized TiO2 NPs were 1 405.19, and 1 053.45 cm(-1) for -NH2 bending, primary amines and amides and 1 053.84 and 1 078.45 cm(-1) for C-O. SEM micrographs of the synthesized TiO2 NPs showed the aggregated and spherical in shape. The maximum efficacy was observed in the aqueous flower extract of C. gigantea and synthesized TiO2 NPs against R. (B.) microplus (LC50=24.63 and 5.43 mg/L and r(2)=0.960 and 0.988) and against H. bispinosa (LC50= 35.22 and 9.15 mg/L and r(2) = 0.969 and 0.969), respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The synthesized TiO2 NPs were highly stable and had significant acaricidal activity against the larvae of R. (B.) microplus and adult of H. bispinosa. This study provides the first report of synthesized TiO2 NPs and possessed excellent anti-parasitic activity.

Saponins-rich fraction of Calotropis procera leaves elicit no antitrypanosomal activity in a rat model

Objective:To examine the in vitro and in vivo anti-Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi ) activity of saponins-rich fraction of Calotropis procera (cpsf) leaves as well as the effect of the fraction on the parasite-induced anemia. Methods:A 60-minutes time course experiment was conducted with various concentrations of the fraction using a 96-well microtiter plate technique, and subsequently used to treat experimentally T. evansi infected rats at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. Index of anemia was analyzed in all animals during the experiment. Results:The cpsf did not demonstrate an in vitro antitrypanosomal activity. Further, the cpsf treatments did not significantly (P>0.05) keep the parasites lower than the infected untreated groups. At the end of the experiment, all T. evansi infected rats developed anemia whose severity was not significantly (P>0.05) ameliorated by the cpsf treatment. Conclusions:It was concluded that saponins derived from Calotropis procera leaves could not elicit in vitro and in vivo activities against T. evansi.