Calotropis gigantea (Calotropis gigantea): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Calotropis gigantea work medicinally?

Calotropis gigantea contains cardiac glycosides, primarily calotropin and calactin, which inhibit sodium-potassium ATPase enzymes. This mechanism produces cardiotonic effects but also underlies the plant's significant toxicity profile. The latex contains proteolytic enzymes and compounds that may explain its traditional topical use for skin diseases and wound healing. Evidence Level: C (preclinical studies supporting mechanism).

Does Calotropis gigantea interact with heart medications?

Calotropis gigantea poses serious interaction risks with cardiac medications due to its cardiac glycoside content. Concurrent use with digoxin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics may cause additive cardiac toxicity, arrhythmias, or electrolyte imbalances. The herb should never be combined with prescription heart medications. Evidence Level: C (theoretical interactions based on pharmacology).

What is the safe dosage for Calotropis gigantea?

Traditional Ayurvedic practice applies Calotropis gigantea latex topically for skin conditions. Internal use of 1-2g bark powder has been documented but requires extreme caution. Due to cardiac glycoside toxicity risks and limited clinical evidence (Level C), internal dosing is not recommended without qualified practitioner supervision. Self-medication internally is strongly discouraged.

Is Calotropis gigantea safe during pregnancy?

Calotropis gigantea is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The cardiac glycosides can cross the placenta and may cause fetal toxicity, uterine contractions, or miscarriage. The traditional purgative use also risks dangerous electrolyte disturbances in pregnant women. This herb is contraindicated in pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. Evidence Level: C (preclinical safety data).

What are the side effects of Calotropis gigantea latex?

Calotropis gigantea latex can cause severe contact dermatitis, skin blistering, and intense local irritation upon topical application. Internal exposure leads to cardiac toxicity manifesting as arrhythmias and heart block, plus gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fatal toxicity is possible at higher doses. Evidence Level: C (case reports and traditional knowledge).

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Calotropis gigantea is a medicinal plant from the Apocynaceae family known for containing potent cardenolides with potential anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:36442758, 37138852].

Contexte

Calotropis gigantea, also known as Giant Milkweed, is a plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family [PMID:36442758]. It is often found in mining areas with heavy metal pollution and exhibits a certain tolerance to cadmium [PMID:35328749].

Usages traditionnels

Traditional Asian and African practitioners have used C. gigantea to treat inflammatory conditions such as boils, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and leprosy [PMID:36442758]. It has also been traditionally used to treat respiratory diseases [PMID:34646882] and migraines [PMID:34981370].

Composés actifs

The plant contains cardiac glycosides/cardenolides, including calotropin, uscharidin, and calogiganin C [PMID:34563976, 37138852]. Other identified constituents include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, palmitic acid, diterpenes, and triterpenes [PMID:36442758, 27936921].

Mécanisme d'action

Certain cardenolides, specifically uscharidin and calotropin, induce G2/M cell cycle arrest in human cancer cell lines [PMID:34563976]. Stem bark extracts (CGDCM) induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreasing ATP and fatty acid synthesis [PMID:37251821].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DCancer (In Vitro/Animal)

Cardenolides showed potent growth inhibitory activity against A172, U251, AGS, PANC-1, and HCT116 cell lines [PMID:34563976]. Stem bark extracts inhibited liver cancer in HepG2 cells and DEN-induced primary liver cancer in rats [PMID:35840761].

Preuve DPain (Animal Model)

Alcoholic extract of flowers showed analgesic activity in mice, inhibiting acetic acid-induced writhing by 20.97% to 43.0% [PMID:17113726].

Preuve DBacterial/Fungal Infections (In Vitro)

Ethanolic leaf extracts inhibited Klebsiella [PMID:27936921].

Interactions médicamenteuses

Stem bark extracts were found to be moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 and poor inhibitors of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 [PMID:37251821].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell line studies and animal models (Level D), with no human clinical trials provided for the herb itself.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 40939149 (2025) — 19-Nor-cardenolides From Calotropis gigantea. · Chemistry & biodiversity
2.PMID: 34563976 (2021) — Cytotoxic cardenolides from Calotropis gigantea. · Phytochemistry
3.PMID: 17113726 (2007) — Analgesic activity of Calotropis gigantea flower. · Fitoterapia
4.PMID: 36442758 (2023) — Phytochemical analysis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity of Calotropis gigantea and its therapeutic applications. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 38581911 (2024) — Turning weeds into feed: Ensiling Calotropis gigantea (Giant milkweed) reduces its toxicity and enhances its palatability for dairy cows. · Ecotoxicology and environmental safety

Calotropis gigantea

Sources et citations

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