Jha et al., IJPSR, 2011; Vol. 2(8): 2132-2135 ISSN: 0975-8232 Available online on www.ijpsr.com 2132 IJPSR (2011), Vol. 2, Issue 8 (Research Article) Received on 05 April, 2011; received in revised form 10 June, 2011; accepted 09 July, 2011 IN- VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXIC POTENTIAL OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA (R. BR.) ROOT Md. Zakaria Faruki 1 , Mithilesh Kumar Jha* 2 , Md. Mofizur Rahman 1 , M. B. Alam 3 , M.E.H. Mazumder 4 and Md. Sohel Rana 4 Department of Pharmacy, Bangladesh University 1 , Iqbal Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh Department of Pharmacy, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University 2 , Lekhnath-12, Kaski, Nepal Department of Pharmacy, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology 3 , Bangladesh Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University 4 , Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh ABSTRACT This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of methanolic extract of the root of Calotropis procera (R. BR.). The Antioxidant activity of the extract was investigated by the In-vitro Anti- Oxidant activity (DDPH Scavenging activity) assays. The IC50 of the Calotropis procera studied by the above mention method was found below 100 μg/ml which indicates the potent antioxidant activity of the plant. The extract of the root of Calotropis procera also demonstrated a strong cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp nauplii with an LC50 value of 2.931 μg/ml. INTRODUCTION: Reactive oxygen species are involved in a number of degenerative diseases such as artherosclerosis, cancer, cirrhosis and diabetes 1, 2, 3, 4 and also in wound healing 5 . Plant-derived antioxidants such as tannins, lignans, stilbenes, coumarins, quinones, xanthones, phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, catechins, anthocyanins and proanthocyanins could delay or provide protection for living organisms from damage caused by uncontrolled production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the concomitant lipid peroxidation, protein damage, and DNA strand breaking 6 because of their redox properties, which allow them to act as hydrogen donors, reducing agents, free radical scavengers 6, 7 . They are also strong chelators of metal ions 8 . Current interest is focused on the potential role of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, heart failure, neurodegenerative disorders, aging, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and several other diseases 9 . Calotropis procera (R. BR.), a plant of family Asclepiadaceae, is well known for its medicinal as well as toxic properties. The plant produces milky white latex that exhibits pleiotropic effects in various animal models. On oral administration, the latex produces potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and weak antipyretic effects, while on local administration it induces intense inflammatory response. Even the accidental exposure to the latex produces contact dermatitis, keratitis, and toxic iridocyclitis. The acute inflammation induced by latex involves edema formation and cellular infiltration that has been attributed to the presence of histamine in the latex and the release of mast cell histamine. Keywords: Calotropis procera, Free radical scavenging, In vitro antioxidant, Cytotoxicity Correspondence to Author: Mithilesh Kumar Jha Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath-12, Kaski, Nepal