PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF LEAVES OF CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA.

Arka (Calotropisgigantea) an important drug of Ayurveda is known in this country from the earliest time. It is commonly known as giant milk weed. It is used for several medication purposes in traditional medicinal system. Most recently Calotropisgiganteais scientifically reported for several medicinal properties viz. the flowers were reported to possess analgesic activity, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. Leaves and Arial parts of the plant were reported for anti-diarrhoeal activity, antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity. Roots were reported to contain anti-pyretic activity, cytotoxic activity. The present study is an effort to give detail information regarding macroscopy, microscopy, physical constants, leaf constants, fluorescence analysis and phytochemical screening of leaves extracts of Calotropisgigantea. This study helps in identification of this particular plant species. Also it providesguidelines for identification of plant species.