Abstract
Objective: Andrographis paniculata (Family: Acanthaceae) is a well-known medicinal plant used in the Indian traditional system of medicine for the treatment of many chronic diseases. The present study was aimed to quantify secondary metabolites, determine antioxidant, and anticancer activity of ethanol extract of A. paniculata leaves.
 Methods: Leaf sample was macerated with ethanol solvent. Alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, phenols, and flavonoids were quantified with standard calibrations. The antioxidant potential was tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated using human epithelial type 2 (HEp-2) cell line. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to estimate the cytotoxicity of the extracts. Apoptotic and necrotic effects were characterized by DNA fragmentation assay and fluorescence microscopy using the dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining method.
 Results: The phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. Alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, phenol, and flavonoid content were recorded as follows: 9.84%, 8.42%, 13.94%, 44.37 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, and 904 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g, respectively. The antioxidant activity from DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays showed dose-dependent inhibition of free radicals. In cell viability tests, cell death with increasing extract concentration was observed. DNA fragmentation and AO/EB stain confirmed apoptosis and necrosis in extract-treated cells.
 Conclusion: The results indicate that A. paniculata is a promising source for the development of antioxidant and anticancer drugs.
Highlights
Oxidants and free radicals are generated in cells either during normal essential metabolic reactions or derived from external sources
Increased oxidative stress is widely associated with the development and progression of acute and chronic diseases ranging from infections, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, to other diseases associated with aging [1]
Phytochemicals from medicinal plants are known to protect the cell against the deleterious effects of free radicals due to their antioxidant activity
Summary
Oxidants and free radicals (reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species) are generated in cells either during normal essential metabolic reactions or derived from external sources. The role of antioxidants is to neutralize the excess of free radicals, to protect the cells against their toxic effects, and to contribute to disease prevention [2]. In the failure of the body’s natural antioxidants, the application of synthetic antioxidants to combat oxidative stress has found to be dangerous for human health. The search for effective, non-toxic natural compounds with antioxidative activity has been intensified in recent years [3]. Phytochemicals from medicinal plants are known to protect the cell against the deleterious effects of free radicals due to their antioxidant activity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
