Studies on in vitro propagation and phytochemical constituents of andrographis paniculata l.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees, commonly known as “King of Bitters,” is a medicinally important plant widely used in traditional medicine systems. The increasing demand for this plant and its bioactive compounds necessitates the development of efficient micropropagation protocols and comprehensive phytochemical characterization. Nodal explants from aseptically germinated seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KIN), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Shoot proliferation, rooting, and acclimatization were evaluated. Phytochemical screening of leaf extracts was performed using standard qualitative and quantitative methods to detect alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, steroids, and andrographolide content. Maximum shoot proliferation (28.4 ± 1.8 shoots per explant) was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA. Optimal rooting (92% frequency with 8.6 ± 0.9 roots per shoot) was observed on half-strength MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L IBA. Acclimatized plantlets showed 88% survival rate. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids. Andrographolide content in micropropagated plants was 2.34 ± 0.12% dry weight, comparable to field-grown plants. An efficient and reproducible micropropagation protocol was established for A. paniculata with high multiplication rates and survival. The phytochemical profile confirmed the presence of major bioactive constituents, validating the pharmaceutical potential of micropropagated plants.