|
Comprehensive
information on
botany,
distribution,
cultivation,
phytochemistry,
pharmacology,
literature
available and
R&D
work done on this species have been described in this web site. Please have
a look at them or send
your query.
-
How do I
know whether it adversely affect?
-
Where
can I find ?
-
Why
does it taste bitter?
-
Who are
cultivating?
-
What is
the market value?
-
When is
the harvesting?
-
I want to know more about this
species..
How do I know whether it adversely affect?
Results
of the toxicity tests have shown that Andrographis paniculata does not
significantly affect body weight, blood picture, hepatic and renal functions or
histology of major organs.
In
addition to this, among the reported biological effects of the species, the
anti-fertility effect of the herb needs to be noted in this context. The work done by Akbarsha
et al. on the anti-fertility effect of Andrographis paniculata (Nees) in male albino rat (Indian Journal of Experimental
Biology 28: 421-426, 1990) shown that dry leaf powder of A. paniculata, when fed orally to male
albino rats, at a dose level of 20 mg powder per day for 60 days resulted in
cessation of spermatogenesis, degenerative changes in the seminiferous
tubules, regression of Leydig cells and regressive
and/or degeneartive changes in the epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and
coagulating gland. There was reduction in the weight and fluid content of the
accessory glands, accumulation of glycogen and cholesterol in the testis and
increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase in the
testis and alkaline phosphatase in testis and ventral
prostrate. The results suggest antispermatogenic
and/or anti-androgenic effect of the plant.
There
is one another study carried out by
Burgos et al. on the testicular toxicity
assessment of Andrographis paniculata dried extract in rats. It was
published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology 58:
219-224, 1997. He evaluated the possible testicular toxicity of Andrographis
paniculata, standardised dried extract in male
Sprague Dawley rats for 60 days. No testicular
toxicity was found with the treatment of 20, 200 and 1000 mg/kg during 60 days
as evaluated by reproductive organ weight, testicular histology, ultrastructural analysis of Leydig
cells and testosterone levels after 60 days of treatment. It was concluded that
Andrographis paniculata dried extract did not produce subchronic
testicular toxicity effect in male rats.
The
significant inference that can be made from this work is that in the normal
situations of using A. paniculata as a drug there is not even a single
situation where the drug is continuously applying for 60 days. Hence the
anti-fertility effects will not be faced in the practical situations. Or it can
be concluded that if cautiously used (lower dosage for shorter period), the drug is not at all creating any adverse effects.
Back to top
Where can I find
Â…?
The herb can be located in most of
the tropical Asian countries often as isolated patches and known by various
vernacular names in different localities. It can be found in variety of
habitats such as plains, hill slopes, waste lands, farms, dry or wet lands, sea shores and even on road sides. The herb is available in
northern stations of
India,
Java,
Malaysia,
Indonesia,
West Indies and elsewhere in
Americas where it is probably introduced.
However, precise data are lacking on the introduction and naturalization of the
species in these localities. The species is also available in
Hong Kong,
Thailand,
Brunei,
West Indies, etc. [see distribution
of the species]
Back to top
Why does it taste
bitterÂ…?
|
|
Each and every parts of Andrographis paniculata
taste bitter due to the presence of a colourless, crystalline diterpenoid lactone [andrographolide (C20H30O5;
mp 230-239˚C)], which is highly bitter in taste.
|
Back to top
Who are
cultivatingÂ…?
A questionnaire-based survey carried
out by the author suggested that there is no organized cultivation practiced
for A. paniculata in any part of
India. But according to the literature the
herb is cultivating in some parts of the country at least in home gardens.
It
prefers a sunny situation. The seeds are sown during May-June. The seedlings
are transplanted at a distance of 60 cm x 30 cm. Two or three irrigations may
be given during the day periods. It flowers during August - November, and the
whole plant starts maturing during February - March when it is harvested for
the drug. The whole plant is dried in shade and sold. The crude drug consists
of dried or fresh leaves or the aerial portions of the plant. [more
info on cultivation]
Back to top
What is the market
valueÂ…?
The price of A. paniculata continuously
increased over the last decade. The raw drug shops at Thiruvananthapuram city
(Kerala state) recorded Rs. 68.0 in 1990 and 126.0 in 1995.
Back to top
When is the harvestingÂ…?
The
herb flowers during August - November, and the whole plant starts maturing
during February - March when it is harvested for the drug; in Andhra Pradesh,
it is collected during November - January. The whole plant is dried in shade
and sold. The crude drug consists of dried or fresh leaves or the aerial
portions of the plant. Sometimes, the whole plant, including the roots, is
used. The drug is sometimes mixed with the genuine chirata
(Swertia chirayata
Karst.) but can be distinguished from the latter
easily by the green colour of its stems, numerous erect, slender, opposite
branches and its lanceolate, green leaves. The drug
normally should not contain more than 2% foreign organic matter.
Back to top
I
want to know more about this species..
Comprehensive
information on
botany,
distribution,
cultivation,
phytochemistry,
pharmacology,
literature
available and
R&D
work done on this species have been described in this web site. Please have
a look at them or send
your query.
Back to top
|
