Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Characterization with Anti-Ulcer Assessment of Andrographis echioides (Acanthaceae)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Andrographis echioides. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, gums, and phytosteroids. Acute oral toxicity studies were carried out according to the OECD Guideline 423 (Acute Toxic Class Method). The ethanolic extract did not produce any mortality or signs of acute toxicity for up to 3 days at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight, indicating its safety profile.

Several phytoconstituents identified in the extract, particularly flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, have been widely reported in the literature for their gastroprotective and anti-ulcer properties. Among these, flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenes are recognized as important cytoprotective compounds who’s anti-ulcerogenic effects have been extensively documented. The ethanolic extract of Andrographis echioides was found to contain flavonoids and their glycosides, tannins, and triterpenoids, which may contribute to its protective effect against gastric mucosal damage induced by pylorus ligation.

The extract demonstrated a dose-dependent ulcer healing and protective effect when compared with the ulcer control group. At doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, the ethanolic extract produced percentage inhibition of ulceration of 26.50% and 53.06%, respectively. The gastroprotective effect observed at the higher dose of 400 mg/kg was appreciable, although it was lower than that of the standard anti-ulcer drug, Ranitidine, which showed an ulcer inhibition of 77.50%. These findings suggest that the ethanolic leaf extract of Andrographis echioides possesses significant anti-ulcer activity, likely due to the synergistic action of its bioactive phytoconstituents.