Pharmacognostical Investigation of Andrographis paniculata (Green Chiretta) and Crystallization of the Bioactive component Andrographolide

Abstract

Andrographis paniculata (Family: Acanthaceae) is one the most commonly used ethno-medicinal plants in certain parts of Asia and European countries. The phytochemical analysis of the leaves of A. paniculata in aqueous, methanolic, ethanolic, hydromethanolic (1:1) and hydroethanolic (1:1) extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, amino acid, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, xanthoproteins and phenols. The total phenolic, flavonoid contents and FRAP values were found to be highest in the hydromethanolic extract i.e., 0.23 ± 0.008 mg GAE/g of FWt, 0.031± 0.00 mg QE/g FWt and1.261 ± 0.03 mM FeSO4 respectively. Invitro antioxidant capacity by linear regression analysis was measured by assaying DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging capacities. The respective IC50 values of the hydromethanolic extract of the plant were found to be 86.51 μg/ml and 298.27 μg/ml. The IC50 values for in vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by heat induced protein denaturation (IC50 diclofenac = 574.06 μg/ml, IC50 APE = 179.7 μg/ml) and RBC membrane stabilization assay (IC50 diclofenac = 337.64 μg/ml, IC50 APE = 143.07 μg/ml). The IC50 values for in vitro anti-diabetic activities were evaluated by α-amylase inhibition (IC50 acarbose = 379.71 μg/ml, IC50 APE = 328.54 μg/ml). In addition, glucose diffusion was also monitored. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was studied against common pathogens using well diffusion method. The purification of Andrographolide was carried out using different physical separation techniques such as extraction and crystallization followed by drying.