Calotropis procera Root Extract Has the Capability to Combat Free Radical Mediated Damage

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Oxidative stress is implicated in various diseases.
• Natural products are a rich source of antioxidants.
• Calotropis procera is a plant with traditional medicinal uses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antioxidant and membrane protective activities of Calotropis procera aqueous root extract.
• To quantify the phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract.
• To investigate the correlation between antioxidant activity and protective effects.

Main Methods:

• In vitro antioxidant assays including DPPH radical scavenging and metal ion chelating activity.
• Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content.
• Assessment of protection against iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat tissue homogenates (liver, brain, kidney).
• UV-visible spectroscopy for phytochemical analysis.

Main Results:

• The extract demonstrated significant free radical scavenging (42-90%) and metal ion chelating (16-95%) activities.
• Phenolic and flavonoid content were determined (15.67 ± 1.52 mg/g and 1.62 ± 0.05 mg/g, respectively).
• The extract provided notable protection against lipid peroxidation in liver (71%), kidney (65%), and brain (60%) tissues.
• Positive correlations were found between DPPH scavenging and reducing power, and between metal ion chelation and lipid peroxidation inhibition.

Conclusions:

• Calotropis procera aqueous root extract possesses substantial antioxidant and membrane protective properties.
• The extract's efficacy is attributed to its phenolic and flavonoid constituents.
• These findings support the potential therapeutic use of Calotropis procera for conditions related to oxidative stress.