www.derpharmachemica.com t Available online a Scholars Research Library Der Pharma Chemica, 2014, 6(3):332-338 (http://derpharmachemica.com/archive.html) ISSN 0975-413X CODEN (USA): PCHHAX 332 www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com Comparative preliminary phytochemical and biological investigations on Andrographis paniculata (Nees) and Aristolochia indica (Linn) S. M. Moazzem Hossen* 1 , Md. Shakhawat Hossain 2 , Jahidul Islam 2 , M. Nurunnobi Pinto 2 , Nur-E-Jannat 2 and Firoj Ahmed 3 1 Department of Pharmacy, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 2 Department of Pharmacy, Bangladesh University, Dhaka 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Foremost objective of the present research was Phytochemical and biological activity investigations of methanolic extract of Aristolochia indica (Linn.) (Aerial part) and leaves of Andrographis paniculata (Nees). The identifications of phytochemical carried out by following standard chemical procedure. Anti-oxidant activity screening was performed by free radical scavenging method, anti-bacterial activity by disc diffusion method and cytotoxic activity by brine shrimp lethal bioassay. The results showed the plant extract contains many phytochemical compounds. Methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata (Nees) showed strong antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. On the other hand, Aristolochia indica Linn showed moderate cytotoxic activity and mild antioxidant. The present study Andrographis paniculata (Nees) showed strong anti oxidant and cytotoxic activity suggests future higher research study. The plant available in Bangladesh and could be prominent source of medically important natural compound. Keywords: Andrographis paniculata Nees, Aristolochia indica Linn, Antioxidant, Anti-Bacterial and Cytotoxic. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Andrographis paniculata belongs to family Acanthacea. Synonyms: Justicia paniculata Burm.f). Bengali/Vernacular Name is Kalomegh, Kalamegh and tribal name is Kalpanas (Garo). English name is Creat. The plant is febrifuge, hypoglycemic, stomachic, tonic, alterative, anthelmintic and cholagogue. Used in general debility, dysentery, certain forms of dyspepsia and in liver complaints, mainly of children. It is a domestic medicine for flatulence and diarrhoea of children. The plant is also used in spleen complaints, colic and strangulation of intestine, constipation, diarrhoea, cholera, phthisis and consumption. Juice of the leaves together with spices, such as cardamoms, cloves, cinnamons, etc., is dried in sun, and made into little globules, which are prescribed for infants to relieve griping, irregular stools and loss of appetite. The plant is used for malaria in Rema-Kalenga. The Garo of Madhupur prescribes leaf juice against fever, headache and vertigo. Leaf extract is hypotensive. Powdered stem showed anti-fertility activity in male mice [1]. Andrographolide contained in the plant possesses strong anti-inflammatory and also cytotoxic activity [2]. Both aqueous and ethanolic extract of the plant possesses significant blood sugar lowering effect in both glucose-loaded and alloxen induced diabetic rat [3]. The plant shows antimalarial [4], anti-inflammatory, antioxidant [5], antihepatitic [6], antihyperglycemic [7], anthelmintic [8], antibacterial [9], antipyretic [10] and anticancer activity [11].