Pharmacological investigation of Calotropis gigantea: A benevolent herb of Nature

In ancient time, human beings worshiped plants, which are extensively essence for medicinal properties in every other way. India is the largest producer of medicinal herbs and is appropriately called the botanical garden of the world. Calotropis gigantea or Crown flower belongs to Asclepiadaceae family, is one such plant with unique properties used alone or with other medicinal to treat common diseases. Herbal medicines exhibit a remarkable therapeutic diversity. According to ayurveda, dried whole plant is used as a good tonic, anthelmintic and expectorant. The powdered root is used to treat asthma, leprosy, bronchitis, while the latex used to treat vertigo, baldness, hair loss, rheumatoid. Besides its traditional uses, calotropis is used as homeopathic medicines. The extracts from different parts of the plant have significant therapeutic values. In order to make these remedies acceptable to modern medicines, there is a need to scientifically evaluate them to identify the active principles and understand the pharmacological actions like anti-fertility, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, antioxidant, antiulcer, antipyretic, hepatoprotective. The present review summarizes the information concerning the mythological significance, ayurvedic significance, origin, pharmacognostical description, phytoconstituents, biological activities, with ethnopharmacological significance of Calotropis gigantea.