Abstract

NOVEL BIOACTIVE FLAVONOID FROM FLOWERS OF CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA LINN.

Dr.Anurekha Yadav*

Abstract

Calotropis gigantea Linn. is commonly known as Ak in Hindi. It is ashrub or small tree, eight to ten feet in height, bearing unscented whiteflowers with five pointed petals and a small elegant crown rising fromthe centre which holds the stamens. The plant has oval, light greenleaves and milky stem. The milky exudation from the plant is corrosivein nature, having mercury like effect on human body and is thereforesometime referred to as vegetable mercury. The plant mainly containscardiac glycosides. Earlier workers have isolated various constituentsfrom this plant, the present paper deals with isolation and structuralelucidation of a new compound A, identified as 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-6,7dimethoxyflavone-3-O--L--arabinopyranosyl-5-O--Dgalactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O--D xylopyranoside, along with a knowncompound B, identified as Myricetin from the methanol soluble ethanolic extract of the flowersof the plant. The isolated compounds were identified and characterized by various colourreactions, chemical degradation and spectral analysis. Flower extract of the plant was utilizedFor Behaviour Despair Study in animal model, by employing Forced Swim Test and TailSuspension Test. These tests indicated the potential antidepressant effect of the plant extract.

Keywords: Calotropis gigantea Linn., Ascelpiadaceae, Flowers, Myricetin, Flavonoidal Glycosides.