Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Nees Acanthaceae) grows widely in many Asian countries, such as China, India, Thailand and Sri Lanka and has a long history of therapeutic usage in Indian and Oriental medicines. A number of active principles have been reported from the plant, which mainly include diterpenoid lactones, flavonoids and polyphenols. The prime constituent andrographolide, a diterpenoid lactone, isolated from the plant has been greatly attributed for its various therapeutic properties. In this project, the bio-active molecule, andrographolide, has been isolated from the leaves of A. paniculata and characterized by various analytical methods.