Latin name: Andrographis paniculata
Chinese Pin-Yin Names: Chuan-Xin-Lian
Other Names: Creat (Chin & Keng), Green Chiretta (Paracelsian Inc.)
Botanical Family:Acanthaceae
Genus:Andrographis
Part used: Stem and Leaf
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES:
1. Hepatoprotective activity
Andrographolide prevent BHC induced increase in the activities of enzymes y-Glutamyl transpeptidase,
glutathione-S-transferase and lipid peroxidation. The activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide
dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and the levels of glutathione were decreased following BHC
effect. Administration of Andrographolide showed protective effects in the activity of superoxide dismutase,
catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase as well as the level of glutathione. The activity of
lipid peroxidase was also decreased. This result indicates antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of A.
paniculata 4
Alcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata was obtained by cold maceration. A dose of 300 mg/kg (1/6
ofLD50) of the extract was selected to study hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced
liverdamage. The extract was found to be effective in preventing liver damage which was evident by
morphological, biochemical and functional parameters5.
Andrographolide from the herb Andrographis paniculata produces a significant dose (1.5-12 mg/kg)
dependentcholeretic effect (4.8-73%) as evidenced by increase in bile flow, bile salt, and bile acids in
conscious rats and anaesthetized guinea pigs. The paracetamol induced decrease in volume and content
of bile was prevented significantly by andrographolide pretreatment. It was found to be more potent than
silymarin, a clinically usedhepatoprotective agent6.
2. Reducing Cold Symptoms
A study measured the effectiveness of andrographolide, compared against a placebo, in lessening the
symptoms associated with common cold. With a patient group of 158 male and female adults, the effects
of andrographolide was measured on days 0, 2, and 4 of the treatment. On day 2, the patient group taking andrographolide displayed reductions in several of the associated symptoms, and on day 4, the same
groupwas shown to have significant reductions in all of the symptoms as compared to the placebo group.
In conclusion, andrographolide had a high degree of effectiveness in reducing the prevalence and intensity
of the symptoms in uncomplicated common cold beginning at day two of treatment. No adverse effects
were reported 4.
In another study conducted by Cres, Hancke et al., one group of students in a rural school was given a
placebo and another was given Kan Jang, a formulation of Andrographis paniculata from the Swedish
Herbal Institute, and then observed to see how many colds occurred over a three month period. A dose of
200 mg a day wasgiven to the study group, and after 1 month no significant difference was recorded. But
after three months, significant variances occurred. The Kan Jang group was 2.1 times less likely to catch
a cold than the placebo group. They had a rate of incidence of 30 percent, compared to 62 percent in the
placebo group3
3. Hypoglycemic activity
So far known Andrographolide is a hepatoprotective, antiplatelet and antithrombotic drug. In experiment
its hypoglycaemic effect has been tried in various ways. Water extract of AP 10 mg/kg body weight can
prevent induction of hyperglycaemia significantly (P < 0.001) induced by oral administration of glucose
2mg/kg body weight. But anyhow failed to do so in adrenaline induced hyperglycaemia. It also failed to
demonstrate any "fasting blood sugar lowering effect" upon chronic administration (6 weeks) of
Andrographolide. So probably Andrographolide prevents glucose absorption from gut7.
4. Anti-fertility activity
Anti-fertility effect of Andrographolide was observed in mice under different experimental conditions.
When Andrographolide was mixed with animal's food (Rats Pelletts) in a dose of 2g/ kg. B.W. per day
and was allowed to consume by the female mice daily for a period of six weeks, none of the animal
(100%) werepregnant when mated with the male of proven fertility who did not receive the drug. On the
other hand, the majority of the control female mice (95.2%) who did not receive the drug were pregnant
when mated withthe similar type of male as in the experimental group, and they continued to give birth to
litters of usual size and number (average 5-6) for subsequent six matings8.
5. Cardiovascular activity
To observe the effects of Andrographolide on nitric oxide, endothelin, cyclic guanosine monophosphate,
lipid peroxide and superoxide dismutase in experimental atherosclerotic rabbit model was established
by feeding high cholesterol diet supplemented by bovine serum albumin injection bolus. The rabbits were
randomly divided into the control, model, and Andrographolide treated group. Blood samples were
collected before 4 weeks and 8 weeks after relevant treatment. Before 4 and after 8 weeks
Andrographolide administration, compared with model group, the nitric oxide, cyclic guanosine
monophosphate and activity of superoxidedimutase increased, while lipid peroxide and endothelin
decreased .it was concluded that Andrographolide possesses the effects of antioxidation, preserving
endothelial function, and maintaining the balance of nitric oxide/endothelin 9.
6.Psycho- pharmacological activity
Psychopharmacological studies were conducted on Andrographolide. The extract exhibited a significant
alteration in behavior pattern and a reduction in spontaneous motility. The extract also produced a
prolongation of the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and lowered the body temperature in different
experimental animal models 9.
7.Anti-HIV activity
A phase I dose-escalating clinical trial of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata was conducted
in 13 HIV positive patients and five HIV uninfected, healthy volunteers. The objectives were primarily to
assess safety and tolerability and secondarily to assess effects on plasma virion HIV-1 RNA levels and
CD4 (+) lymphocyte levels. No subjects used antiretroviral medications during the trial. Those with liver
or renalabnormalities were excluded. The planned regimen was 5-mg/kg bodyweight for 3 weeks,
escalating to 10-mg/kg bodyweight for 3 weeks and to 20-mg/kg bodyweight for a final 3 weeks. A
significant rise in themean CD4 (+) lymphocyte level of HIV subjects occurred after administration of
10 mg/kg andrographolide (from a baseline of 405 cells/mm (3) to 501 cells/mm (3); p = 0.002). There
were no statistically significant changes in mean plasma HIV-1 RNA levels throughout the trial.
Andrographolide may inhibit HIV-induced cell cycle dysregulation, leading to a rise in CD4 (+) lymphocyte
levels in HIV-1 infected individuals 10.
Dosage
200mg-300mg of Andrographolide daily in 2-3 times is recommended for relieving cold and fever
symptoms. Doses as high as 1,000 to 2,000 mg 3 times daily have been used in some studies.
Andrographis is usually standardized to its content of andrographolide, typically 4 to 6%. 11
Safety
An acute toxicity study reported that the LD50 of Andrographis paniculata is too high to be determined. A chronic
toxicity study on dogs showed no pathological changes after administering 15 times the clinical dosage of
Andrographolide. 12 Andrographolide has not been associated with any side effects in human studies, although
animal studies raise concerns about its effects on fertility. In one study, participants were monitored for changes
in liver function, blood counts, kidney function, and other laboratory measures of toxicity.7 No problems were found.
