INTRODUCTIONOver the past twenty ye

INTRODUCTION
Over the past twenty years, interest in medicinal plants has grown enormously from the use of herbal
products as natural cosmetics and for self-medication by the general public to the scientific investigations of
plants for their biological effects in human beings. Beyond this pharmaceutical approach to plants, there is a
wide tendency to utilize herbal products to supplement the diet, mainly with the intention of improving the
quality of life and preventing the diseases of elderly people1. India has been identified as a major resourceful
area in the traditional and alternative medicines globally.
Andrographis paniculata is an herbaceous plant of family Acanthaceae, genus Andrographis native
to India and Srilanka. It is widely cultivated in southern Asia. Mostly the leaves and roots were used for
medicinal purposes such as traditional siddha and ayurvedic systems of medicine in India and some other
countries for multiple clinical applications. The plant extract exhibits anti-typhoid, antifungal activity,
antioxidants2, anti-inflammatory, anti-snake venom and antipyretic properties. It is also used as an immune
stimulant agent3. The whole plant has variety of therapeutic values and it is useful in treatment of wounds,
ulcers, leprosy, sore throat, hypertension, etc. The plant contains a number of diterpenoids. However, the
major bitter constituent is andrographolide, which is diterpene lactone. Diterpenoids and flavonoids are the
main chemical constituents of Andrographis paniculata which are believed to be responsible for the most biological activities of this plant4. Two flavonoids, identified as 5, 7, 2’, 3’- tetramethoxyflavonone and 5-
hydroxy-7, 2’, 3’-trimethoxyflavone, as well as several other flavonoids were obtained from the whole plant.
The leaves and aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata are used in various formulations and used for the
treatment of fever malaria and sore throat5.