Author(s): Surabhi Bajpai, Himani Hooda, RK Singh and Rakesh Mishra

Abstract: Medicinal plant extracts have been implicated for the treatment of diabetes mellitus since ages. The present study deals with extraction and evaluation of various phytochemical constituents in leaf, root and stem of Calotropis procera and comparison of their anti-oxidant properties with antidiabetic drugs. Pet ether, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of Calotropis procera were prepared, phytochemical screening and high performance liquid chromatography profiling were done. The antioxidant properties of extracts were evaluated and compared with anti-diabetic drugs (insulin, metformin and pioglitazone). Level of phenols was significantly higher in pet ether and hydroethanolic extracts of leaves of the plant (p<0.001). Pet ether extracts of leaves had significantly increased DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging and superoxide radical scavenging activity respectively (p<0.001).Concluding the above findings we state that Calotropis procera leaf has optimum antioxidant potential henceforth this plant can be used in future as a valuable source of pharmacologically active antioxidants for the control of diabetes.