PHARMACOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE ANALGESIC AND ANTIINFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA AND SALIX ALBA

Abstract

The search for effective and safe alternatives to synthetic drugs has intensified interest in medicinal plants with potent analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. Calotropis procera (Ait.) and Salix alba are two ethnomedicinal plants traditionally employed in the management of pain, fever, and inflammation. This study highlights the phytochemical composition and pharmacological mechanisms underlying their therapeutic potential. Calotropis procera is rich in cardenolides, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which contribute to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy, while Salix alba contains salicin, a precursor of aspirin, along with polyphenols and tannins that exert synergistic effects. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies demonstrates that both plants modulate prostaglandin synthesis, cytokine release, and oxidative stress pathways, thereby reducing pain perception and inflammatory responses. The comparative evaluation underscores their potential as natural, cost-effective, and accessible remedies, offering promising prospects for the development of plant-based pharmaceuticals targeting chronic pain and inflammation.