KALMEGH - THE KING OF BITTERS

Haripriya.S

Horticultural College and Research Institute

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore

Andrographis paniculata (The Creat), known commonly as "King of Bitters," is a member

of Acanthaceae plant family. The plant is known in north-eastern India as ‘Maha-tita’, literally ‘king

of bitters’ and as ‘Bhui-neem’, though the plant is much smaller in size, shows similar appearance

and has bitter taste as that of Neem (Azadirachta indica). The genus Andrographis consists of 28

species, essentially distributed in tropical Asia. And of which A. paniculata is the most popular,

because of its well-known medicinal properties.

It is also cultivated - quite easily, because it grows in all types of soil. Moreover, it grows

in soil types where almost no other plant can be cultivated, particularly "serpentine soil," which is

relatively high in aluminum, copper and zinc. Such hardiness helps account for its wide

distribution. Normally grown from seeds and are sown during May-June. It does best in a sunny

location.

It is an annual - branched, erect with smooth leaves and white flowers with rose-purple

spots on the petals. Stem dark green, 0.3 - 1.0 m in height, 2-6 mm in diameter, quadrangular

with longitudinal furrows and wings on the angles of the younger parts, slightly enlarged at the

nodes; leaves glabrous, up to 8.0 cm long and 2.5 cm broad, lanceolate, pinnate; flowers small, in

lax spreading axillary and terminal racemes or panicles; capsules linear- oblong, acute at both

ends, 1.9 cm x 0.3 cm; seeds numerous, sub quadrate, yellowish brown.
 Andrographolide , a bicyclic diterpenoid lactone, which is bitter and water soluble in

nature is the major constituent from the plant. The aerial parts of the plant (leaves and stems) are

used to extract the active phytochemical. The leaves contain the highest amount of

andrographolide, while the seeds contain the lowest. Both growing region and seasonality plays

an important role as to the concentration of this diterpene lactones are concerned. The highest

concentration of the active components is found just before the plant blooms, making early fall

the best time to harvest.

Andrographis has been found to be an effective antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and

immune system stimulant. A recent study conducted at Bastyr University, Seattle confirms anti-

HIV activity of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata. It is widely used in viral

hepatitis, children's bowel complaints, gastric acidity, liver congestion, flatulence and treatment

for colds. The therapeutic value of Kalmegh is due to its mechanism of action which is perhaps

by enzyme induction. The hepatoprotective action of andrographolide is related to activity of

certain metabolic enzymes. Preliminary evidence suggests that it stimulate immunity, potentially

making it useful for general immune support. The results suggest that andrographolide is an

interesting pharmacophore with anticancer and immunomodulatory activities and hence has the

potential for being developed as a cancer therapeutic agent.