Asian Journal of Green Chemistry
3.8(Q2)
CiteScore
27
h-index

Green Extraction, Antioxidant, and Hepatoprotective Evaluation of Calotropis procera Leaf Extract

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Shripad Motilal Bairagi 1
Jyoti Gorakh Wagh 2
Avinash Raosaheb Thanage 3
Pericharla Venkata Narasimha Raju 4
Phanindra Erukulla 5
Krishna Vamsi Kandimalla 6
Ajay Manukonda 6
Ramenani Hari Babu 7

1 Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, PIMS (DU), Loni, Maharashtra, India

2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Mula Education Society's College of Pharmacy, Sonai, Ahmednagar 414105 Maharashtra, India

3 Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation's College of Pharmacy, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra 414111, India

4 Department of Regulatory Affairs, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., 2 Esterbrook Lane, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, United States

5 Department of Regulatory Affairs, Ricon Pharma LLC, 100 Ford Rd, Suite #9, Denville, NJ 07834, United States

6 Department of Regulatory Affairs, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals, A Cipla Subsidiary, 550 South Research Place, Central Islip, United States

7 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Pharmacy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad 244001, Uttar Pradesh, India

https://doi.org/10.48309/ajgc.2026.558174.1863
Abstract
The present study investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of a methanolic leaf extract of Calotropis procera obtained by cold maceration. Physicochemical evaluation revealed total ash (5.1 % w/w), acid-insoluble ash (1.28% w/w), and water-soluble ash (3.81 % w/w), serving as diagnostic parameters for standardization. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, tannins, and saponins, which are known for their pharmacological activities. The extract demonstrated potent in vitro antioxidant capacity, with IC₅₀ values of 2.88 µg/mL for DPPH (p < 0.001) and 5.27 µg/mL for hydrogen peroxide scavenging (p < 0.001), significantly lower than those of ascorbic acid (12.60 and 69.22 µg/mL, respectively), while exhibiting a concentration-dependent increase in reducing power up to 100 µg/mL. In vivo, paracetamol administration (2 g/kg) induced hepatotoxicity in rats, as evidenced by elevated serum AST (109.33 IU/L), ALT (137.33 IU/L), ALP (152.16 IU/L), bilirubin (1.263 mg/dl), and lipid peroxidation (7.295 M/mg protein), along with depleted GSH (12.71 M/mg protein), SOD (222.83), and CAT (11.80 µM). Treatment with C. procera extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reversed these changes (p < 0.001 for major biochemical markers) in a dose-dependent manner. At 200 mg/kg, AST and ALT levels were reduced to 81.26 and 74.06 IU/L, bilirubin decreased to 1.002 mg/dl, and GSH, SOD, and CAT were restored to 15.99 M/mg protein, 281.07, and 14.17 µM, respectively. Hematological indices including RBC, Hb, PCV, and WBC also improved (p < 0.01–0.001). Histological analysis confirmed the attenuation of necrosis and fatty degeneration. These findings established that C. procera is a promising hepatoprotective agent with strong antioxidant mechanisms underlying its efficacy.

Graphical Abstract

Green Extraction, Antioxidant, and Hepatoprotective Evaluation of Calotropis procera Leaf Extract

Keywords

Calotropis procera
Cold maceration
Phytochemicals
Antioxidant activity
Hepatoprotection
Paracetamol toxicity

Subjects

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Asian Journal of Green Chemistry
Volume 10, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 430-449

  • Receive Date 27 October 2025
  • Revise Date 20 November 2025
  • Accept Date 02 December 2025

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