Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil.
Department of Food Science & Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, TX 77843-2253, United States.
Curr Top Med Chem. 2023;23(23):2197-2213. doi: 10.2174/1568026623666230606162556.
Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand (Apocynaceae), popularly known as milkweed, has been traditionally used to treat diseases particularly associated with gastric disorders, skin disease and inflammatory processes. The present study aimed to review the current scientific evidence regarding the pharmacological effects of C. procera extracted phytochemicals and possible research opportunities as complementary and alternative medicine. Scientific publications were searched in various electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Springer, Wiley, and Mendeley) using the following search terms: Calotropis procera, medicinal plants, toxicity, phytochemical characterization, and biological effects. Collected data showed that cardenolides, steroid glycoside and flavonoids are the main classes of phytochemicals identified in C. procera latex and leaves. In addition, lignans, terpenes, coumarins, and phenolic acids have been reported. These metabolites have been correlated with their biological activities, including mainly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, hypoglycemic, gastric protective, anti-microbial, insecticide, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, among others. However, some of the studies were carried out with only a single dose or with a high dose not achievable under physiological conditions. Therefore, the validity of C. procera biological activity may be questionable. Not less important to highlight are the risks associated with its use and the possibility of accumulation of heavy metals that can be toxic. Furthermore, there are no clinical trials with C. procera to date. In conclusion, the need of bioassayguided isolation of bioactive compounds, bioavailability and efficacy, as well as pharmacological and toxicity studies, are needed using in vivo models and clinical trials in order to support the traditionally claimed health benefits.
牛奶菜（Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand），又名麻疯树，属夹竹桃科，被广泛应用于传统医学，用于治疗特定的胃部疾病、皮肤病和炎症。本研究旨在对牛奶菜植物提取的化学成分的药理学作用进行综述，并探讨作为补充和替代医学的研究机会。在多个电子数据库（PubMed、Scopus、Web of Science、Google Scholar、Springer、Wiley 和 Mendeley）中，使用以下检索词搜索科学出版物：牛奶菜、药用植物、毒性、植物化学成分鉴定和生物效应。收集的数据表明，强心甾苷、甾体糖苷和类黄酮是牛奶菜乳胶和叶子中鉴定出的主要植物化学成分类别。此外，还报道了木脂素、萜类、香豆素和酚酸。这些代谢物与它们的生物活性相关，主要包括抗氧化、抗炎、抗肿瘤、降血糖、胃保护、抗微生物、杀虫剂、抗真菌、抗寄生虫等。然而，一些研究仅使用单一剂量或在生理条件下无法达到的高剂量进行。因此，牛奶菜生物活性的有效性可能值得怀疑。同样需要强调的是，牛奶菜的使用风险及其积累重金属的可能性，这些重金属可能具有毒性。此外，目前尚无针对牛奶菜的临床试验。综上所述，需要使用体内模型和临床试验进行生物活性化合物的生物测定指导分离、生物利用度和功效、药理学和毒性研究，以支持传统上声称的健康益处。
