Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Nees (Family: Acanthaceae) commonly known as Kalmegh (King of Bitters) is an important plant species in Ayurvedic medicine (prominent in 26 Ayurvedic formulations). An overview is conducted in the species considering all essential aspects namely, therapeutic uses, synonyms, common names, distribution, habitat, soil condition, cultivation, harvest, post harvest and storage, plant description, reproductive biology, cytological aspects, cytogenetical study, molecular genetics, extraction and detection of phytochemicals, assay, phytochemistry, insecticidal activity, clinical trials, contraindications and drug interactions, clinical implications, regulatory mechanism, in vitro studies and mutational studies to provide unabridged repository of references to researchers for its effective biological utilization.

Objectives: The field study was undertaken at the adjoining villages of Rasikbil of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, India to record the ethnomedicinal plants used by the Rava, Santal and Oraon people and to explore their traditional knowledge to treat common ailments. Methods: With the help of pretested semi-structured questionnaire, tribal men and women were interviewed on ethnomedicinal uses of local flora during July 2018 to January 2020. The questionnaire covered aspects like local name, scientific name, family, used parts, ethnomedicinal uses, among others. Routine methods of plant collection and herbarium techniques were followed and the collected species were identified using relevant sources. Findings: A total of 57 plant species of 34 families were found to be used to treat several diseases like cough and cold, diabetes, among others. In few cases, the plant parts were used in combination with other plant parts to prepare traditional medicine. The plant family Fabaceae represents the highest number (6 species) of ethnomedicinal plants among others. Among different plant parts used for the preparation of medicine, leaves were most frequently used (49.12%) for the treatment of diseases. Besides, fruits, seeds, roots, etc. were also found to be used as traditional medicine for the treatment of ailments among human beings. Applications: The traditional knowledge of ethnic people regarding the utilisation of ethnomedicinal plants may be used in the preparation of pharmaceutical products which could contribute towards availability of essential drugs at much reduced cost. In addition, populations of medicinal plants must be monitored in order to conserve them and aid in planning sustainable utilisation. Novelty: In comparison to earlier reports, present study revealed 14 more plant species having immense ethnomedicinal values and frequently used by the tribal people in the area. In this regard, the study is significant to enrich the existing database.

Summary Karyotype analysis of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (Family: Leguminosae; Sub-family: Faboideae; annual herb, potential uses nutraceuticals, forage and food for humans) revealed 5 (2n 20; 4A m 2B sc sm 2C sm 2D sm 10E m ) morphologically distinct chromosome types. The karyotype showed a prevalence of chromosomes with median primary constrictions. Satellites were associated with the short arm of 2B-type chromosomes. Chromosome length in the complement varies from 1.26 to 2.41 µm. The karyotype was symmetric in nature (TF% 43.11). The meiocytes had 2n 20 chromosomes always with an average of 9.96II 0.08I per cell at diakinesis and metaphase I. Formation of 10 II was predominant (95.83%). All anaphase I cells were cytogenetically balanced (10/10). About 66.67% diakinesis and MI cells showed secondary association of chromosomes and the chromosomes assorted themselves into variable groups of 4 (4.69%), 5 (6.25%), 6 (23.44%), 7 (64.06%) and 8 (1.56%). Out of 24 different types of associations among the group classes, 2II(3) 1II(4) 46.88% (7 group class) was the most frequent. Secondary polyploidy has been attributed as the possible cause of secondary association of chromosomes and the basic chromosome number for the species is suggested to be x 7. Pritchard and Gould 1964, Maréchal and Otoul 1965, 1966 2n 20, 22, 24 Lackey 1979, 1980, Cook et al. 2005; however, chromosome number alone does not provide any cytogenetical criteria which aiding to efficient breeding. The present communication reports on the karyotype analysis and meiotic chromosome behavior of M. uniflorum, which were previously undescribed, with the objective to collect cytogenetical information as a major step to enable improvement of the plant. Materials and methods Plant materialSeed samples of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. were collected from the Medicinal Plant Garden, Narendrapur, Ramkrishna Mission, Govt. of West Bengal, India (accession number not provided) and plants were raised in the Experimental Garden, University of Kalyani. A voucher specimen has been deposited in the Herbarium,

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