Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Andrographis producta (C. B. Clarke) Gamble

Background: Andrographis producta (Acanthaceae) is endemic to Western Ghats, India, traditionally used by native people for the control of various ailments including intestinal worms, to relieve constipation and also used to eliminate phlegm in women during postpartum. Objective: To investigate the chemical compounds in root, stem and leaves of A. producta and their antioxidant properties. Method: The phytochemical contents were determined using spectrophotometric methods and chemical profiling of root, stem and leaf extracts was carried out using GC-MS. Further, extracts were investigated for their antioxidant capacities using in vitro DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assay. Results: The total phenolics (163.61 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (35.11 ± 0.53 mg QE/g) and tannins (84.52 ± 0.07 mg TAE/g) were highest in stem compared to leaf and root. Stem was exerted superior antioxidant capacities in both DPPH (EC₅₀ 3.58 mg/ml) and FRAP assays (1.742 ± 0.02 OD at 1mg/ml) and were comparable to standards. GC-MS analysis revealed total 89 chemical compounds including phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids and organic acids. 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol (0.70 %), 2,4-ditert- butylphenol (9.74 %), phytol (10.32 %), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (11.42 %), gammasitosterol (8.32 %), salvigenin (12.09 %), solanesol, (2.92 %), and alpha-terpinene (4.58 %) were important bioactive compounds found in significant amount. Conclusion: The present investigations indicate that various parts of A. producta can be explored as good source of antioxidants due to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids. The meticulous assessment of bioactive compounds from A. producta would be great contribution in field of medicine.