Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of Calotropis Gigantea: Pharmacognostic, Formulation, And Cardioprotective Studies

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading global cause of mortality, highlighting an urgent need for novel, safer therapeutic agents. Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand. (Giant Milkweed), a plant deeply rooted in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda for treating diverse ailments including inflammatory conditions, presents a promising yet underexplored source for cardioprotective leads. While preliminary studies indicate bioactive potential (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory), its specific cardioprotective efficacy and development into viable therapeutics face significant gaps. Modern phytochemistry reveals a complex profile rich in cardenolides, terpenoids, flavonoids, and pregnane glycosides, suggesting multifaceted bioactivity beyond known toxicity concerns. However, robust evidence demonstrating protection against cardiac injury (ischemia, oxidative stress) is lacking, and translation is hindered by the absence of pharmacognostic standardization and optimized formulations addressing bioavailability, stability, and toxicity. This study bridges these critical gaps through an integrated approach. First, comprehensive pharmacognostic evaluation establishes botanical identity, physicochemical parameters, and phytochemical profiles for standardization of selected plant parts. Second, topical formulation are developed and optimized to enhance bioactive delivery and safety. Third, rigorous assessment of cardioprotection employs cardiomyocyte stress models and established in vivo models, evaluating effects on oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH), inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6), apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3), and cardiac biomarkers (LDH, CK-MB, Troponins). This holistic investigation provides essential scientific validation for C. gigantea's cardioprotective potential, establishes quality control benchmarks, and advances pharmaceutical development, paving the way for its future application as a novel therapeutic or adjuvant in CVD management.