Ethnobotany, Pharmacological Activities and Bioavailability Studies on "King of Bitters" (Kalmegh): A Review (2010-2020).

BACKGROUND: Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as "Kalmegh", is an annual herbaceous plant from the family Acanthaceae. The whole plant of A. paniculata has been explored for multiple pharmacological activities and is scientifically recognized by in-vivo and in-vitro studies. Various biotechnologically engineered techniques have been explored to enhance the bioavailability of this plant. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we aim to present comprehensive recent advances in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, specific pharmacology, safety and toxicology, and bioavailability of A. paniculata and its pure compounds. Possible directions for future research are also outlined in brief, which will encourage advance investigations on this plant. METHODS: Information on the recent updates of the present review is collected from different electronic scientific databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. All the composed information is classified into different sections according to the objective of the paper. RESULTS: More than a hundred research and review papers have been studied and incorporated in the present manuscript. After a vast literature search on A. paniculata, we present a noteworthy report of various phytoconstituents present in the plant, which are accountable for the potential therapeutic properties of the plant. Forty-five of the studied articles gave general information about the introduction, ethnobotany, and traditional uses of the plant. Twenty-two papers enclosed information about the phytoconstituents present in different parts of A. paniculata and seventy-two papers briefly outlined the pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anti-dengue, anti-ulcerogenic, antifungal, some miscellaneous activities like activity against SARS-CoV-2, antidiarrhoeal. Nineteen studies highlighted the research work conducted by various researchers to increased the bioavailability of A. Paniculata and two studies reported the safety and toxicology of the plant. CONCLUSION: This review incorporated the scientifically validated research work encompassing the ethnobotanical description of the subjected plant, phytochemical profile, various pharmacological activities, and recent approaches to enhance the bioavailability of active metabolites.

Advances in Ethnobotany, Synthetic Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Endangered Herb Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki): A Comprehensive Review (2010-2020).

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Family: Plantaginaceae) is a well-recognized Ayurvedic herb. It is commonly called "Kutki" or "Kurro" and 'Indian gentian'. Iridoid glycosides are the plant's bioactive constituents accountable for the bitter taste and medicinal properties of the plant. The iridoid glycosides such as picrosides and other active metabolites of the plant exhibit many pharmacological activities like hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulator, anti-ulcerative colitis, antimicrobial, etc. This review aims to provide updated information on the ethnobotany, synthetic phytochemistry, pharmacological potential, safety and toxicology of P. kurroa and its active metabolites. Indiscriminate exploitation, ecological destruction of natural habitats, slower plant growth and unawareness regarding cultivation and uprooting of plants have brought kutki an endangered status. Therefore, various techniques used for the conservation and production of bioactive metabolites from P. kurroa have also been reported. Information on the plant has been collected from Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus using 'Picrorhiza kurroa', 'Picroside-', 'Picroside-II', 'Picroliv', 'Immunomodulator' keywords. All studies on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of plant from 2010- 2020 were comprised in this review article. The possible directions for future research have also been outlined briefly in this review article.

Therapeutic Journey of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees from Natural to Synthetic and Nanoformulations.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) is a herbaceous plant and is commonly called 'King of Bitters'. It has gained attraction as a potential hepatoprotective agent and a natural molecule with various biological activities viz. anticancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, neuroprotective, and so on. The andrographolide is one of the main diterpenoids responsible for the drug's bitter taste and various therapeutic activities. The poor cellular permeability, solubility and short biological half-life of its pure components limit its distribution to the target tissue. To conquer this obstacle, various researchers worldwide have been working on designing the synthetic derivatives of its active components and nanoformulations to improve the drug's efficiency and selectivity to develop more active leads for biomedical applications. This article discussed the recent research on synthetic derivatives, including their possible therapeutic applications and structure-activity relationship (SAR). Additionally, this article also presents essential information concerning the various nanoformulations developed to increase the delivery of pure compound/plant extract to the target site, thereby improving the drug's efficacy for multiple ailments.