ABSTRACT
Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Acanthaceae) is found throughout India. In Ayurveda, it is commonly known as Bhunimba. A. paniculata is an annual herb. Branches are quadrangular and dark green in colour. Leaves are opposite, shortly staked, green above, pale below and pinnate. Flowers are small and whitish-purple colored. Fruit is capsule having many seed. Root is unbranched, containing many rootlets and has grey color. In Ayurveda, A. paniculata is used in the treatment of jaundice, hepatomegaly, constipation and malaria. The whole plant is used in medicine and Liquid Extract Kalmegh is the official preparation. The herb is reported to contain diterpene lactones including, andrographolide, neoandrographolide, 14-deoxy-11-oxo andrographolide, 14-deoxy-11, 12-oxo andrographolide, 14-deoxy andrographolide, echiodin, kalmeghin, homandrographolide, andrographane and andrographone. Several pharmacological actions have been documented. However, poor bioavailability of andrographolide is a limiting factor and as a result nanoandrographolide has been developed.
