A Comprehensive Review on the Anticancerous Activity of Arka (Calotropis procera)

Cancer incidence is increasing both in India and around the world. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates for 2019, cancer is the primary or second major cause of death before the age of 70 in 112 of 183 countries, And third or fourth in another 23 countries. The estimated mean relative proportions showed that oral, breast, and cervical cancers remained the leading causes of cancer in India. Medicinal plants include several phytochemicals that are used to synthesize active medicinal compounds, making them extremely important. Arka (Calotropis procera), a plant revered in traditional medicine for its strong medicinal effects, has been shown to have anticancer potential. Calotropis procera is a plant that grows abundantly over the world. Bhavprakasha and Rasatarangini classify Calotropis procera (Arka) as an Ayurvedic Upavisha. This plant includes numerous phytochemical compounds, including cardenolides, benzoyllineolone, calactin, and calotropagenin. These phytochemicals have been examined and proven beneficial against a variety of diseases. By combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific research, this study intends to highlight Calotropis procera's potential as a source of novel anti-cancer drugs and to guide future research paths in this area. This review highlights numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations on the anticancer efficacy of Upavisha Arka.