Asian Journal of Medical Principles and Clinical Practice

Background: Andrographis paniculata has long been used as traditional medicine in Asia. It’s also referred to as the "king of bitters or kalmegh," especially in the Chinese and Ayurvedic systems. Despite extensive research on the plant's nutritional makeup, which has been linked to both pharmacological and ethnomedicinal benefits, the leaves have not been fully utilized to their full nutritional and biochemical potential.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the vitamins, fatty acids, mineral salts and amino acids composition of ethanol extract of Andrographis paniculata, to clarify it’s nutritional and biochemical potentials.

Methodology: Fresh A. paniculata leaves were harvested from a farmland at Uturu, Isikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State. They were washed, air-dried, pulverized into fine powder and extracted using maceration extraction method. The solvent concentration was 70% ethanol, with 500 mL used for extraction over a duration of 72 hours, concentrated at 80°C, and maintained at a ratio of 1:1 (w/v). The vitamins profiles were analyzed via spectrophotometry and HPLC; fatty acids were characterized by gas chromatography; minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; and amino acids by HPLC after derivation. 

Results: The result showed that Andrographis paniculata ethanol leaf extract contains high level of vitamin C (70.82±0.43ppm), Vitamin B₆ (2.29±1.31ppm) and carotenoid (3.60±0.69µg/l). The extract also showed appreciable levels of Calcium (15.73±5.15ppm), Potassium (13.83±4.58ppm) and Magnesium (12.20±3.60ppm). Alanine (23.47±6.78ppm) and Glycine (17.73±5.42ppm) were the most dominant amino acids. Stearic acid (21.05±6.30ppm) and Oleic acid (16.90±1.35ppm) were the predominant fatty acids.

Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata exhibits significant hypoglycemic potential, indicating its promise for use in supplements aimed at blood glucose regulation. Its antioxidant constituents, including flavonoids and ascorbic acid, may further contribute to mitigating oxidative stress associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A. paniculata also demonstrates efficacy in reducing the severity and duration of common colds and uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections through its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms. Amino acids such as alanine and glycine play complementary physiological roles: alanine supports gluconeogenesis during metabolic stress, while glycine mitigates ischemia–reperfusion injury by downregulating proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB. In addition, stearic acid exhibits neuroprotective and cardiometabolic benefits, whereas oleic acid contributes to improved body composition, reduced visceral adiposity, and enhanced lipid metabolism.