Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
AK Pandey, Smiley Gulati, Amit Gupta and YC Tripathi

Abstract:
Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees. commonly known as Kalmegh is used both in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines for a number of ailments related to digestion, liver (hepatic), fever, malaria and sore throat. It has an imperative place in the Indian Pharmacopoeia and is being prominently used in at least 26 Ayurvedic formulations. It is a hardy and erect plant which grows mainly as under shrub in tropical, moist deciduous forest. It is widely distributed southwards through Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia to Indonesia and in India it is found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Andrographolide, is the major constituent extracted from the plant and exhibits several biological activities. The quality of the herb depends on andrographolide content. The andrographolide content was determined by HPTLC. The average andrographolide content varied from 1.38 to 3.12 % on dry weight basis. The differences in andrographolide content among Kalmegh collected from different locations were statistically significant. The result indicated that the andrographolide being secondary metabolite may be influenced by the environmental, seasonal factors and soil characteristics. The results indicated that Kalmegh populations with highest andrographolide content may be potential source of quality raw material and ultimately more efficacious drugs.