Abstract

Background:
Medicinal plants are commonly employed in various ways, including the prevention of infection, alleviation of stress, and stimulation of growth. Calotropis procera is among the classification of a medicinal plant that has various biological activities but has not received sufficient attention regarding the varying duality of its effects (e.g. beneficial and toxic) when utilized in animals or animal health in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Aim:
The specific aim of this investigation was to isolate and appraise bioactive compounds from Calotropis procera in Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and their therapeutic as well as toxicological effects on animal health.

Methods:
Phytochemical constituents of Calotropis procera were extracted using both ethanol and dichloromethane (DCM) and subsequently analyzed using proximate composition, phytochemical analysis, and thin layer chromatography (TLC) and GC/MS.

Results:
GC/MS analysis recorded the main comonents of Calotropis procera are betulin (58%), alpha-amyrin (32.87%) in the ethanolic extract, these main components had antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial activities. However, the DCM extract of Calotropis procera on the other hand, recorded methyl eugenol (38.45%) and Stigmasta-7-16-dien-3-ol 3-beta 5-alpha (40.78%) as the main components.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Calotropis procera has both therapeutic and toxic properties. For using it more safely, we need to examine its efficacy and active ingredients with modern laboratory tools to be able to utilize it more consistently as an herbal medicine. More research is needed to confirm its benefits and reduce risks.

Key words: Medicinal plants, Chemical composition, Calotropis procera, Toxic, Compounds