Chemical and biological evaluation of Andrographis echioides leaf extracts collected from the Vellore district in Tamil Nadu, India

The chemical and biological activities of crude extracts of Andrographis echioides leaves using petroleum (pet) ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous solvents were assayed.

The total phenol, flavonoid, protein and carbohydrate contents of A. echioides crude extracts were evaluated. The antioxidant activities of the leaf extracts were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide, metal chelating, reducing power and total antioxidant activity assays. In addition, the crude extracts were screened for antibacterial activity (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria) by disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration was determined.

Of the crude extracts tested, the pet ether extract of A. echioides contained more total phenols (0.01955 ± 0.0012 mg/g), flavonoids (1.2889 ± 0.3606 mg/g) and proteins (1.6065 ± 0.160 mg/mL). The aqueous extract of A. echioides was enriched for carbohydrate (467.6 ± 0.003 mg/mL). The methanol extract of A. echioides exhibited potent antioxidant activity IC50 values (1.14 ± 0.06 to 1.15 ± 0.45 μg/mL), as well as antibacterial activity (16 ± 1.527 mm), than the aqueous extract of A. echioides (20 ± 1.527 mm).

A. echioides has great potential as a source of anti-cancer compounds due to its high antioxidant content and antibacterial activity.