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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Antimicrobial effect of Calotropis procera active principles against aquatic microbial pathogens isolated from shrimp and fishes

Objective: To study the influence of Calotropis procera (C. procera) active principles against aquatic microbial pathogens isolated from shrimp and fishes. Methods: C. procera leaf powder was serially extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol and screened by antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity against aquatic pathogens which isolated from shrimp/fish. After initial screening, the active extract was purified through column chromatography and again screened. Finally the active fractions were characterized by phytochemical analysis and GC-MS analysis. Results: In vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral screening revealed that, the ethyl acetate extracts were effectively suppressed the bacterial pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Vibrio harveyi (V. harveyi) and Aeromons hydrophila (A. hydrophila) of more than 20 mm zone of inhibition; the fungi Fusarium sp and the killer virus WSSV. The ethyl acetate extracts of C. procera incubated WSSV was failed to multiply its progeny in the in vivo system of shrimp P. monodon. The shrimp had 80% survival after WSSV challenge from the control group significantly (P<0.001) and also PCR detection confirmed that no WSSV transcription found in shrimp haemolymph. After purified the ethyl acetate extracts again antimicrobial screening performed and it concluded that the fraction namely F-II was effectively suppressed the bacterial growth and WSSV due to its enriched active principles such as cardiac glycosides, Phenols, alkaloids, Tannin and quinines. Surprisingly this fraction, F-II was effectively controlled the WSSV at 90% level at a highest significant level (P<0.001). Finally the structural characterization by GC-MS analysis revealed that, the F-II fraction contained Phenols including several other compounds such as 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-, Methyl tetradecanoate, Bicyclo[3.1.1] heptane, 2,6,6-trimethyl-, (1α,2β,5α)-and Hexadecanoic acid etc. Conclusions: The present study revealed that there is a possibility for developing new eco-friendly antibacterial and antiviral drugs from C. procera against aquatic important pathogens.

Gastric antiulcer and antiinflammatory activities of Calotropis procera stem bark

In recent years, a widespread search has been launched to identify new antiinflammatory and antiulcer-drugs from natural sources. The study was aimed at evaluating the antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity of chloroform extract (CH) and hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of the stem bark of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, Apocynaceae, obtained successively by cold maceration. The antiinflammatory effect of the CH and HE extracts of the stem bark of the C. procera against carrageenan-induced paw oedema and also its antiulcer activity by using two acute models: Aspirin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and ethanol (96 percent, 1 mL/200 g) in albino rats have been studied and found to be significant at 200 and 400 mg/kg when compared to the standard drugs. As a part of investigations to obtain compounds with antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity in this work, a bioassay was carried out with fractions obtained from chloroform extract with n-hexane (NF1), 1-butanol (BF1), ethyl acetate (EF1) and chloroform (CF1). The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of the stem bark was fractionated with n-hexane (NF2), 1-butanol (BF2), ethyl acetate (EF2), chloroform (CF2) and water (WF2). The fractions were freeze-dried and evaluated for its antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity. Fractions NF1, CF1, BF2 and EF2 (20 mg/kg) showed significant antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity. The results obtained for antiulcer activity were also supported well by the histopathological examination of the open excised rat stomach. Further experiments are underway to determine which phytoconstituents are involved in antiinflammatory and antiulcer activities as well as mechanisms involved in gastroprotection.

Antioxidant, Cytotoxicity and Polyphenolic Content of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. Flowers.

Oxidative stress has been implicated with the pathology of many diseases such as inflammatory conditions, cancer, diabetes and aging. In view of that an attempt was made to evaluate free radical scavenging activity, cytotoxic activity and polyphenolic content of methanolic extract of Calotropis procera flowers.Free radical scavenging activity was estimated using in vitro models like 1,1,-diphenyl-2- picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide radical, reducing power and ferric thiocyanate method. Cytotoxicity was analysed following MTT assay using Hep2 and Vero cell lines and polyphenols were estimated using standard methods. Two way ANOVA was used for statistical analyses. The methanol extract of C. procera at 500 μg/ml showed better scavenging activity in ferric thiocyanade method (83.63 %) with the lowest IC50 of 100 μg/ml followed by hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging and least activity was found to be present in DPPH assay (50.82 %). The extract had 100 % cytotoxicity on Hep2 cell lines. Flavonoids were found in greater amount than phenols and found to be had higher correlation with antioxidant activities. It was suggested that the flowers of C. procera possess in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic activities and thus having much therapeutic value because of their polyphenolic content.

Phenytoin-induced Toxicity in the Postnatal Developing Cerebellum of Wistar Rats, Effect of Calotropis procera on Histomorphometric Parameters / Toxicidad Inducida por Fenitoína en el Desarrollo Postnatal del Cerebelo de Ratas Wistar, Efecto de Calotropis procera sobre los Parámetros Histomorfométricos

The role of methanolic leaf extracts of Calotropis procera in phenytoin-induced toxicity on histomorphometric variables in the postnatal developing cerebellum of Wistar rat was studied. Pregnant rats were treated orally with 50 mg/kg phenytoin in pre and post natal life and 300 mg/kg methanolic leaf extract of Calotropis procera 1 hour prior to phenytoin administration. 200 mg/kg vitamin C (standard antioxidant) was also administered orally 1 hour prior to phenytoin treatment. The control animals received water. Standard diet of rat pellets and water were provided ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, the offspring of days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 50 post partum, five per group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The cerebellum of all groups were dissected out and processed for histomorphometric studies. The results showed in the developing cerebellum of phenytoin treated animals, a delayed cell maturation in the external granular layer, reduction of the molecular layer, astrocytic gliosis and loss of Purkinje cells on day 50 postpartum. Administration of extracts of Calotropis procera and vitamin C though reversed these changes when compared with the phenytoin treated group, but not significantly when compared with the control. In conclusion, supplementation with methanolic extracts of Calotropis procera reduced the rate at which phenytoin induced toxicity in the postnatal developing cerebellum of Wistar rat.

Fue estudiado el rol de los extractos metanólicos de las hojas de Calotropis procera en la toxicidad inducida por fenitoína sobre las variables histomorfométricas en el desarrollo postnatal del cerebelo de ratas Wistar. Ratas preñadas fueron tratadas por vía oral con 50 mg/kg de fenitoína durante la vida pre y post natal. Además, fue administrado, por vía oral, una hora antes del tratamiento con fenitoína 300 mg/kg de extracto metanólico de las hojas de Calotropis procera y 200 mg/kg de vitamina C (antioxidante estándar). Los animales control recibieron agua. Una dieta estándar de pellets para rata y agua se proporcionaron ad libitum. Al final del experimento, 5 crías por grupo de 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 y 50 días post parto, fueron sacrificadas por dislocación cervical. El cerebelo de todos los animales de los diferentes grupos fueron disecados y procesados para el estudio histomorfométrico. Los resultados mostraron en el desarrollo del cerebelo de los animales tratados con fenitoína un retraso en la maduración de células en la capa granular externa, reducción de la capa molecular, gliosis astrocitaria y pérdida de las células de Purkinje en el día 50 post parto. La administración de extractos de Calotropis procera y vitamina C, aunque invirtieron estos cambios, en comparación con los grupos tratados con fenitoína, no fueron significativos en comparación con el control. En conclusión, la suplementación con extractos metanólicos de Calotropis procera redujo la velocidad a la que la fenitoína induce toxicidad en el desarrollo postnatal del cerebelo de ratas Wistar.

Calotropis procera root extracts block VEGF-induced angiogenesis: Quantitative analysis.

Angiogenesis is controlled by number of growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Plant derived anti-angiogenic molecules acting via VEGF are being investigated for curtailing angiogenesis dependent diseases. In this study, methanolic (CM), n-hexane (CH), ethylacetate (CE) and water (CW) extracts of the roots of Calotropis procera were tested for anti-angiogenic activity. In the chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, CM, CH and CE but not CW inhibited VEGFinduced neovascularization in a dose-dependent manner. Of all the tested extracts, CM at the dose of 10, 5 and 2.5 ng most effectively inhibited over 83, 71 and 64%, of neovascularization induced by 10ng of VEGF, respectively. Sponge implantation assay in mice further showed that at the dose of 100ng CM, CH and CE but not CW significantly inhibited neovascularization induced by VEGF (100 ng). Taken together, this study indicates that the root extracts of C.procera may possess anti-angiogenic activity.

Molecular characterization and transcriptome profiling of expansin genes isolated from Calotropis procera fibers

The Calotropis procera seed fibers provide an excellent model system to study the genes involved in fiber elongation, fineness and strength. Expansins constitute one of the important gene families involved in plant cell expansion and other cell wall modification processes. Four homologs of Expansin A gene i.e. CpEXPA1, CpEXPA2, CpEXPA3 and CpEXPA4 were isolated from the cDNA library obtained from fast growing Calotropis procera fibers. These homologs represented typical Expansin A family. Each of them had two conserved domains including GH45 like domain and the putative polysaccharide binding domain. The deduced amino acid sequences of the homologs indicated three conserved motifs: i) eight cysteine residues at N-terminus, ii) four tryptophan residues at C-terminus and iii) a Histidine-Phenylalanine-Aspartate motif in the center of the sequence. The presence of N-terminal signal peptide consisting of hydrophobic amino acids and a transmembrane region in all these expansin isoforms suggests their cotranslational insertion into the endoplasmic reticulum and then transportation to the cell wall by secretory pathway. The relative quantification of the four expansins in root, stem, fiber and leave tissues indicated that the transcripts of CpEXPA1, CpEXPA2, CpEXPA3 and CpEXPA4 are variably transcribed in these tissues. The lowest transcription of all the four Expansin A isoforms was observed in elongating roots indicating that root tissue might be having specific expansins other than those confined to air grown organs.