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method where the extraction is facilitated by samples tested were within their expiration

the use of ultrasound. The plant sample is dates at the time of testing.
placed in an ultrasonic bath and ultrasound Chemicals
is used to induce a mechanical stress on the Andrographolide Reference Standard

cells through the production of cavitations in (Lot F0I344) was purchased from U.S. Phar-
the sample. The cellular breakdown increases macopoeia, USA. HPLC- and AR- grade of
the solubilization of metabolites in the sol- methanol were obtained from Macron Fine

vent, improves extraction yields and reduced Chemicals (USA) while dichloromethane was
extraction time. Furthermore, ultrasonic bath from Mallinckrodt (USA). Ultrapure water ge-

is the apparatus available in all quality con- nerated by Milli-Q (Millipore Corporation,
trol testing laboratories with typical labora- USA) was used.
tory applications of dissolving the standards Apparatus

and degassing of HPLC solvents. There were Reflux extraction apparatus, Rotary
also some reports on quantitative analysis of evaporator (Eyela, Japan), Water bath

andrographolide in Andrographis herb, ex- (NESLAB, USA), Ultrasonic bath (Elmasonic,
tracts and dosage forms in which ultraso- Germany), High Performance Liquid Chroma-
[27-31]
nication was used frequently. tography equipped with UV detector (Waters,
The objectives of this study were to com- USA), Micro balance and analytical balance
pare the extraction efficiency of ultraso- (Mettler Toledo, Switzerland), Sieve No. 180
nication and reflux extraction methods and (nominal mesh aperture size of 180 mm,

to propose an alternative to the current THP Endecotts, England)
method for quality control of Andrographis
Method
capsules.
1. Sample Preparation
Methodology
1.1 Reflux extraction
Material [24]
As described in THP , remove, as
Sample completely as possible, the contents of not
A total of 30 different lots of Andro- less than 20 Fa-Tha-Lai capsules, and grind

graphis capsules from 17 manufacturers were to No. 180 powder. Transfer about 400 mg,
used in this study. The strength of Andro- accurately weighed, to a 100 mL round bot-

graphis capsules tested was 250, 350, 400, tom flask. Add 50 mL of a mixture of equal
450, and 500 mg of powdered form. All volumes of dichloromethane and methanol,