Abstract

• Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees and Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees belong to the family Acanthaceae. These species were collected from Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region, during August 2022 to March 2023. They are known as traditional medicinal plants not only in Myanmar but also in Asia. The present studies were undertaken to establish a comparative study of morphological, histological characters, phytochemicals analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two species. The morphological studies of two species have annual erect herbs. The leaves of A. paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees was lanceolate, glabrous on both surfaces. A. echioides (L.) Nees was oblong, pubescent on both surfaces. In histological characters, diacytic types of stomata found only on abaxial surface and stomata index were 13.3-21.43 in A. paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees. A. echioides (L.) Nees observed on both surfaces and stomata index were 14.28-25.0, 20.0-33.33. The phytochemical analysis of aqueous leaves extract showed the presence of high number phytocompounds when compared with ethanol and methanol. It showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, proteins and reducing sugar in both species. The free radicals scavenging of leaves of two species have excellent antioxidant activity showing IC50 value 5.98 and 3.44 mg/l. Antimicrobial activities of the different solvent extracts of leaves were tested on five pathogenic microorganisms. The antibacterial activity of the chloroform extracts of A. paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees were tested against Micrococcus luteus. In A. echioides (L.) Nees, ethyl-acetate extract was found active against the strains of Pseudomonas albicans. The results of present studies can serve as a useful tool in the identification, authentication, and efficacy of the plants, which leads to pharmaceutical application.