Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Calotropis procera Linn.

4 Abstract: Methanol and aqueous extract of leaves of Calotropis procera Linn. were subjected to the potential antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract was determined on the basis of their scavenging activity of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. IC of 50 the methanol extract of Calotropis procera Linn. was 110.25 µg/ml which indicated the strong antioxidant activity of the plant. However the aqueous extract showed mild antioxidant activity. For antibacterial activities test, the extract was subjected to its effectiveness against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in agar diffusion method. The zones of inhibition produced by the crude methanol and aqueous extract against few sensitive strains were measured and compared with those of standard antibiotic Gentamycin. It is evident that both extracts are active against the bacteria at low concentrations. The obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and suggest its further advance investigation.