Phytochemical composition and andrographolide content of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) grown in Andaman Islands

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.) is known as king of bitterness, Kalmegh is used as traditional medicine for curing different ailments and is known for its wide medicinal properties. The whole herb is used for herbal cure at Andaman Islands and is grown in homestead gardens, An attempt was made to study the phytochemical composition and andrographolide content of both leaves and stem extracts. Methanolic extract yielded maximum total phenols in both leaf (24.18 mg/g) and stem extract (27.35 mg/g). Flavonoid content was also maximum in methanolic extract of leaf (52.57 mg/g) and stem (71.82 mg/g) of A. paniculata. Highest DPPH activity was found in methanolic extract in both leaf (7.08 mg BHT/g) and stem samples (7.15 mg BHT/g). The NO activity was highest in ethanolic extract in both leaf (13.85 mg vit C/g) and stem (12.86 mg Vit C/g). The methanol extract of leaf (14.65 mg EDTA/g) and stem (12.85 mg EDTA/g) showed higher chelating activity. The acetone extract of stem (3.16 mg vit c/g) and leaf (2.97 mg vit c/g) of Kalmegh showed effective reduction in the activity of hydrogen peroxide. Andrographolide content was maximum in leaf (3.49%) followed by stem (1.59%).