Fluctuations in environmental circumstances with varying altitudinal gradients account for variations in plants. This study was performed to scrutinize the impact of varying altitude on medicinal plant, namely, Justicia adhatoda L. for 2 consecutive years. The phytochemical, physicochemical constituents, and morphological aspects of Justicia adhatoda L. were studied and statistically compared. Significant variations were observed among plant height, crown spread, branches, leaves, inflorescence, carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, total sugar, and reducing sugar across different elevational sites where the observed variations showed that Justicia adhatoda L. plant chemically adapted itself to sustain at high altitudinal sites by exhibiting change in its phytochemical and morphological aspects. The quality and therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plants are influenced by their biochemical composition, which, in turn, depends on the environment in which they grow. The various biotic and abiotic stresses operating in the environment across altitudinal gradient undeniably perform as a driving force behind these variations and ultimately the survival of medicinal plants. The assessment of biochemical composition of medicinal plants growing at different elevational sites can contribute to selecting the best genotype and better altitude for commercial cultivation of medicinal plants.

An investigation was carried out to check the influence of altitude on antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities displayed by ethanolic leaf extracts of Justicia adhatoda L. Justicia adhatoda is a medicinal plant, growing predominantly at an altitude of 1,300 m above sea level. The collections of leaves were made from plants growing across different altitudinal ranges. The antibacterial activity was tested against four different bacterial strains, namely Escherichia coli (MTCC 82), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2453), and Klebsiella pneumonia (MTCC 39) by disk diffusion assay and subsequently antifungal activity was tested on Rosellinia necatrix (HG964402.1) and Fusarium spp. (SR266-9) by poisoned food technique. The leaf extracts exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on the tested bacterial and fungal strains. Consequently, the antioxidant activity was found to be significantly higher among the extracts from high altitudes, whereas the difference observed in antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities is not statistically significant. The extracts were further characterized by GC-MS analysis and the presence of pharmacologically important compounds, viz. 1-hexyl-2nitrocyclohexane, 2-naphthalenamine, 1-butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate, and 1-docosene, were reported.

This study was done to explore yearly variation in biochemical profile and important biological properties exhibited by medicinal plant, namely, Justicia adhatoda L. The plant is well-known for its beneficial properties. Its leaves, bark, fruits, and flowers are used in treating various ailments. It is known for its bronchodilatory, expectorant, and mucolytic properties. Significant variations were observed among carbohydrate content, crown spread, and number of the primary and secondary branches. The antibacterial activity was tested against four different bacterial strains, namely, Escherichia coli (MTCC 82), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2453), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 39) by disk diffusion assay, and subsequently, anti-fungal activity was tested on Rosellinia necatrix (HG964402.1) and Fusarium spp. (SR2 66-9) by poisoned food technique. The leaf extracts exhibited potent inhibitory effect on the tested bacterial as well as fungal strains; however, no significant variation was observed among antimicrobial potential of the J. adhatoda L. leaf extracts.