Pharmacognostic study of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton root and stem.

Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, belonging to the family Apocynaceae is an important medicinal shrub. It is widely used in folklore and Ayurvedic system of medicine. Various parts of this plant were used to treat human diseases such as Pama (Scabies), Vicharchika (Eczema), Kasa (Cough), Mukhakrishnatwa (Hyperpigmentation of the face), Pleehodara (Splenomegaly) and preparation of Ayurvedic as well as traditional medicines like Arkalavana and Arkataila. The present communication deals with a detailed account of the pharmacognostic study of C. procera root and stem. The study includes macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy studies, physicochemical, phytochemical analysis, heavy metal tests, screening of microbiological parameters and development of High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprints profile of C. procera root and stem. HPTLC fingerprints profile of ethanolic extract was done by using mobile phase toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid for root and stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]