Variation in growth and diterpene lactones among field-cultivated Andrographis paniculata

Seed-raised Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae) from 28 accessions were grown in a randomized complete block design to determine morphological characteristics and diterpene contents. The average amount of dried leaves per individual was between 2.13 and 8.23 g. The average andrographolide content varied from 12.44 to 33.52 mg/g dried leaves and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide content varied from 0.23 to 2.08 mg/g dried leaves. The differences in phytomass and diterpene contents among the plants from different accessions were statistically significant. Furthermore, we isolated the elite individual plants containing high amounts of andrographolide and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (up to 52.57 and 3.46 mg/g dried leaves, respectively). The results indicated those populations are potentially important sources for breeding and improvement of cultivars.