A brief overview on andrographis paniculata (burm. f) nees., A high valued medicinal plant: boon over synthetic drugs

Since time immemorial the medicinal plants, as sources of remedies, are widely used as alternative therapeutic tool for the treatment of plethora of acute and chronical diseases ranging from common cold to complex human diseases all over the world. Following the advent of modern medicine, herbal medicine suffered a set back, but due to the multiple drug resistance, side effects associated with antibiotics, restriction in use of synthetic antioxidant drugs because of its carcinogenicity and limited availability of anticancer drugs has forced the scientist to search for new alternative substances from plant origin. A. paniculata is in demand in terms of its high valued medicinal properties. Extensive research on this plant considered it as a good source of medicinal herb over the commercially available synthetic drugs. It can be used for pharmaceutical applications, food preservation and also as a food supplement, in order to promote growth of live stock and to increase the nutritional value of different foods and diet.