Variation in Morphological Parameters and Andrographolide Content in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees collected from Different Provenances of Chhattisgarh

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees) leaves constitute a high amount of vigorous compounds, namely diterpenes lactones, signifying that it could be useful in the prevention of several diseases. It is used in different traditional systems of medicine and exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, antibacterial, antioxidantantidibietic, anticarcinoge-nic, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, nematocidal and various other activities. The present study was planned to determine the morphological parameters and variation of andrographolide contents to acquire superior genotypes collected from five different provenances (Ambikapur, Jagdalpur, Kawardha, Korba and Raigarh) of Chhattisgarh. The average amount of dry weight per samples was between 10.0 to 43.0 g. The total andrographolide content varied from 0.08-0.5% in the dried samples of A. paniculata. The variation in growth parameters and andrographolide content among the plants collected from different provenances were statistically significant. Quantification of andrographolide was determined by HPLC which revealed that the variation in the andrographolide content is highest in the Korba provenances than the plants from the other provenances. The results indicated that these populations are potentially important sources for breeding, improvement of genotypes and best sources for obtaining higher drug yield.