Pharmacognostical studies of madar (Calotropis procera) for drug preparation in Indian system of medicine

The study was undertaken to find out the pharmacognostical characters of madar or ak [Calotropis procera (Ait.) W. T. Aiton], family Asclepiadaceae. In the present study, macroscopical, microscopical (stem and leaf), chemical analysis, TLC, powder analysis, extractive and ash value were studied. The stomatal index, palisade ratio, vein termination number and vein islet number were also studied. The numerical data can be considered as a diagnostic constant in identification and authentication of the raw drug obtained from madar. Since the drug of madar plant is used in Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani, especially for curing ulcers, eye troubles, headache etc., it is of vital importance for human health. The plants of madar contain α-amyrin, α-amyrin, taraxasterol and its isomer, taraxasteryl isovalerate, taraxasteryl acetate, α-sitosterol and a wax, which are very essentially required for humanbeings. The latex contains the cardiac glycosides; calotropin, uscharin and calotoxin.