EVALUATION STUDIES ON KALMEGH (ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA NEES)

Abstract

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is an annual herb belonging to the
family Acanthaceae. it has a wide distribution beginning from moist shady
lands in Himalayan foothills to Indo- Gangetic plains and humid tracts of
penninsular India. The plant is 30-90 em. in height with quadrangular stem,
bracteate lanceolate leaVes characterised with small winged petiole, slightly
undulate margin, acuminate tip and covered with hairs all over the leaf lamina.
It bears small white-purple bi-Iipped flowers with dark purple tinged petals
during November to January The fruit is a linear capsule containing 8-12
seeds The herb contains compound andrographalide in varying quantities is
a terpenoid with unsaturated lactone responsible for its bio- activity (Talukdar,
1968).