ASSESSMENT OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN SODOM APPLE (CALOTROPIS PROCERA) PLANT.

Calotropis procera, commonly known as Sodom Apple, is a resilient perennial shrub widely utilized in traditional medicine across arid and semi-arid regions. Despite its toxicity in raw forms, its diverse secondary metabolites offer significant therapeutic potential. This study provides a systematic assessment of the bioactive compounds present in the various morphological parts (leaves, latex, roots, and flowers) of Calotropis procera to evaluate their pharmacological relevance. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening was conducted using various solvent extractions (ethanolic, methanolic, and aqueous). Analytical techniques, including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), were employed to identify specific chemical constituents. The assessment revealed a rich profile of bioactive secondary metabolites, most notably cardenolides (such as calotropin and calotoxin), triterpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. The latex was found to contain high concentrations of proteolytic enzymes (calotropein) and cardiac glycosides. These compounds demonstrate significant bioactivity, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and potent cytotoxic properties against various cancer cell lines. The findings confirm that Calotropis procera is a prolific source of bioactive molecules. While the presence of cardenolides necessitates caution due to potential cardiotoxicity, the isolated compounds serve as promising precursors for the development of novel synthetic drugs, particularly in oncology and chronic inflammatory management.