Andrographis

Andrographis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. They may be known generally as the false waterwillows,[1] and several are called periyanagai.[2]

Andrographis
Andrographis echioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Acanthoideae
Tribe: Andrographideae
Genus: Andrographis
Wall. ex Nees
Species

See text

Most species are native to Asia.[3] Many are endemic to India.[4] They may be herbs or shrubs.[2]

Some species are used medicinally. The best known is Andrographis paniculata, which is valued in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine. It is used to treat a very long list of illnesses and conditions.[3] A. alata and A. lineata are used in human and veterinary medicine.[2]

It is not clear how many valid species currently belong to the genus. Estimates go from to 28[3][4] to 40.[5][2]

Species include:

  • Andrographis affinis
  • Andrographis alata
  • Andrographis atropurpurea
  • Andrographis beddomei
  • Andrographis ceylanica
  • Andrographis elongata
  • Andrographis explicata
  • Andrographis glandulosa
  • Andrographis gracilis
  • Andrographis humifusa
  • Andrographis lawsonii
  • Andrographis laxiflora
  • Andrographis lobelioides
  • Andrographis macrobotrys
  • Andrographis neesiana
  • Andrographis orbiculata
  • Andrographis ovata
  • Andrographis paniculata - king-of-bitters, kalmegh, maha-tita, bhui-neem
  • Andrographis producta
  • Andrographis rothii
  • Andrographis rotundifolia
  • Andrographis sinensis
  • Andrographis stellulata
  • Andrographis tenera

References
  1. Andrographis. Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  2. Boopathi, C. A. (2000). Andrographis spp.: A source of bitter compounds for medicinal use. Anc Sci Life 19(3-4) 164-8.
  3. Niranjan, A., et al. (2010). Biological activities of kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees) and its active principles - A review. Indian J Nat Prod Resour 1(2) 125-35.
  4. Gnanasekaran, G. and G. V. S. Murthy. (2012). Lectotypifications in Andrographis (Acanthaceae). Rheedia 22(2) 77-79.
  5. Rao, Y. K., et al. (2003). Flavonoids from Andrographis viscosula. Chem Farm Bull 51(12) 1374-76.
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