- Calotropis
Taxobox
name = "Calotropis"
image_width = 220px
image_caption = "Calotropis gigantea "
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Gentianales
familia =Apocynaceae
subfamilia = Asclepiadoideae
genus = "Calotropis"
genus_authority = R.Br.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Calotropis gigantea " - ak/akund "Calotropis procera " - Apple of Sodom"Calotropis" is a
genus ofplant s that produce milkysap . It is considered a commonweed in some parts of the world. The flowers are fragrant and are often used in making 'floral tassels' in some mainlandSoutheast Asia n cultures. Fibers these plants are called mudar or mader.The plant is known as "aak" in Ayurveda. The latex is said to have a mercury-like effects on the human body, and is some times referred to as "vegetable mercury" and is used in place of mercury in aphrodisiacs. It is used variously but sometimes leaves are fried in oil for medicinal purposes.Root bark has "Digitalis" like effect on the heart, but was earlier used as a substitute of ipecacuanha.
It is a poisonous plant; calotropin, a compound in the latex, is more toxic than
strychnine . Calotropin is similar in structure to twocardiac glycosides which are responsible for the cytotoxicity ofApocynum cannabinum L.Extracts of flower of "Calotropis procera" has shown a strong cytotoxic activity in the patients of colorectal cancer.References
* Puri, H. S. (2003) RASAYANA: Ayurvedic Herbs for Longevity and Rejuvenation. Taylor & Francis, London.
* S. Morris Kupchan, John R. Knox, John E. Kelsey, and J. A. Saenz Renauld: Calotropin, a Cytotoxic Principle Isolated from Asclepias curassavica L. Science 25 December 1964.External links
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=display&classid=CALOT USDA classification for "Calotropis"]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CAPR "Calotropis procera"]
* [http://www.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm PIER - "Calotropis giantea"]
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