ICAR-DMAPR Secures Indian Patent for Novel Kalmegh-Based Drug Formulation Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy

ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research (ICAR-DMAPR) has been granted an Indian patent for a groundbreaking drug formulation using Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata). The patented formulation, titled "Development of Microencapsulated Formulation Based on Andrographolide and Method of Preparation," enhances the bioavailability and sustained release of Andrographolide, the active compound in Kalmegh. This innovation is set to significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy of the herb, widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. 

Dr. Manish Das, Director of ICAR-DMAPR, highlighted the formulation's potential to meet growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry due to its enhanced properties.

Kalmegh, a prominent medicinal plant, is an annual herb from the Acanthaceae family. Known for its therapeutic actions, Andrographolide is the active ingredient used to treat ailments such as diabetes, bronchitis, piles, jaundice, and fever.

The herb is also valued for its blood-purifying properties and its effectiveness in treating skin diseases. Kalmegh is cultivated across various Indian states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, predominantly during the kharif season.

The invention also outlines the method of extracting the enriched Andrographolide from Kalmegh. The newly developed technology offers key benefits, including improved bioavailability and a sustained release of Andrographolide, thereby enhancing its biological activities and therapeutic effectiveness.

This innovation, developed by Dr. Narendra A. Gajbhiye and Jitendra Kumar of ICAR-DMAPR, holds significant promise for improving the efficacy of Kalmegh-based treatments, paving the way for more effective and sustained therapeutic solutions in the pharmaceutical industry.