Leaf ethanol extract is reported with antibacterial and antifungal activity. Leaf aqueous extract inhibited HIV-antigen-positive H9 cells. Dehydroandrographolide is shown to be inhibitory to HIV–I cells in human lymphocytes. Ethanol extract of the aerial parts is reported to cause nonspecific stimulation of immune response, which is more effective than that produced by purified andrographolide indicating it to be a synergistic effect of several constituents.

It is also antipyretic and a 50% ethanol extract is found to be inhibitory to Plasmodium berghei demonstrating its anti malarial activity. While the powdered whole herb has shown anti diarrhoeal activity, deoxy andrographolide, andrographolide and neo andrographolide are reported to show anti-inflammatory activity.

Ethanol extract of the aerial parts has delayed occurrence of respiratory failure and death in experimental mice poisoned with cobra venom. This is found to be due to its muscarinic effect. It has also shown cardioprotective, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, and chemopreventive effects.

Aerial parts and andrographolide are reported to be anti-hepatotoxic and much more effective than silymarin.

Kalmegh is clinically indicated for the treatment of common cold, uncomplicated sinusitis, pharyngotonsillitis, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Reduction in the severity of urinary tract infection brought about by the herb was found to be comparable to that of co-trimoxazole or norfloxacin. Aerial parts were found to be clinically effective in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections. In bacillary dysentery and enteritis, a combination of andrographolide and neo andrographolide was found to be more effective than furazolidine or chloramphenicol. The herb administration has brought about symptomatic relief from infectious hepatitis.

Marketed products

Traditional—Nilavembu kudineer, nilavembu chooranam

Proprietery—Kalmegh liver drops, Air-defense caps, Immunoshield

Ashoka

Ashoka refers to the plant Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde, Family: Caesalpinaceae

Synonym

Saraca indica auct. non Linn.

It is found throughout India in evergreen forests up to an elevation of about 750 m in the central and eastern Himalayas, West Bengal, and South India. One of the most sacred trees of Hindus and Buddhists, their flowers are used for religious ceremonies and temple decorations. It is cultivated as an ornamental and avenue tree throughout tropical India.

Common vernacular names

English: Ashoka

Hindi: Asok

Sanskrit: Gosasokah, Asokah

Tamil: Asogam

Telugu: Vanjalamu, Asokamu