Raheem et. al.,(2007)isolated the proteolytic enzymes from Calotropis procera (<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Sodom apple leaves) were extracted by aqueous infusion and characterised for its thermal and pH stabilities. The rennet strength of this extract was found to be 7% compared with animal rennet at 35 degrees C, and increasing the incubation temperature to 70 degrees C increased the rennet strength 28-fold. The molecular weight of the partially purified protease determined by SDS-PAGE combined with zymography was found to be approximately 60 kDa. The high proteolytic activity at 70 degrees C supported the suitability of the protease enzyme as a coagulant in future commercial production of Nigerian Wara cheese.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Eric Van Quaquebeke, Gentiane Simon, Aurélie André, Janique Dewelle, Mohamed El Yazidi, Frederic Bruyneel, Jerome Tuti, Odile Nacoulma, Pierre Guissou,,Christine Decaestecker, Jean-Claude Braekman, Robert Kiss, and Francis Darro (2005)Identification of a Novel Cardenolide (2' '-Oxovoruscharin) from Calotropis procera and the Hemisynthesis of Novel Derivatives Displaying Potent in Vitro Antitumor Activities and High in Vivo Tolerance: Structure-Activity Relationship Analyses J. Med. Chem., 48 (3), 849 -856,
Methanolic extracts of Calotropis procera root barks contain cardenolide (2' '-oxovoruscharin). Of the 27 compounds hemisynthesized, by Quaquebeke et al., (2005) one (23) exhibited a very interesting profile with respect to its hemisynthetic chemical yield, its in vitro antitumor activity, its in vitro inhibitory influence on the Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and its in vivo tolerance. Compound 23 displayed in vitro antitumor activity on a panel of 57 human cancer cell lines similar to taxol, and higher than SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan), two of the most potent drugs used in hospitals to combat cancer.
Padhy B.M. and V.L.Kumar (2005) Inhibition of Calotropis procera latex-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia by oxytocin and melatonin Mediators Inflamm. 14:360-365.
