Andrographolide undergoes modification after illumination by blue laser in the presence of sodium bicarbonate

Andrographolide is the marker compound of Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh), a herb that constitutes many traditional Asian remedies. In the present photochemical approach to modify its 12-en-14-hydroxyl moiety into 13-enone, a methanol solution of andrographolide has been illuminated with blue laser for 6 hours in the presence of sodium bicarbonate. After the illumination, it has been discovered that the 12-en-14-hydroxyl moiety undergoes modification into the 11-enone.