Andrographis [Andrographis paniculata]
Andrographis [Chiretta, Chuan xin lian, Kalmegh, Kirata] grows in China
and India. Its leaves and flowers have been used in herbal medicine for
years. It has been believed that Andrographis may offer health benefits in
common cold, immune function, cancer and infections. Andrographolide,
the major constituent of the extract is implicated towards its health claims or
benefits.

Side Effects of Andrographis Paniculata Extracts
Adverse side-effect-events reported following administration of
Andrographis paniculata were generally mild and infrequent. [1-4] A
preparation containing Andrographis paniculata was well tolerated and no
side effects or adverse reactions were reported in a study on its efficacy on
common colds among 130 children in Russia. [2]  In general, Andrographis
paniculata is considered as a safe and efficacious supplement for the relief
of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. [1]However,
there were also reports of its adverse side effects.[5] Its side effects may
include gastric upset, headache, bitter taste and fatique. Since it have
effects on liver (see the section of liver protection in this article), high doses
of Andrographis paniculata extracts may affect liver functions.

Basic Activities of Andrographis Paniculata

Andrographis paniculata extracts have antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory effects. [6-10]
Methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata was found to inhibit formation
of oxygen derived free radicals such as superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, lipid
peroxidation and nitric oxide in in vitro system. In vivo studies of BALB/c
mice, administration of Andrographis paniculata extract produced complete
inhibition of carageenan induced inflammation compared with controls.
Researchers are hoping these activities lead to multiple benefits of
Andrographis in health. [6]

Japanese researchers isolated iterpene lactones andrographolide and
neoandrographolide from Andrographis paniculata. They found these
compounds suppressed NO production in a concentration-dependent
manner in the concentration range from 0.1 to 100 microM and their IC50
values were 7.9 and 35.5 microM. Neoandrographolide also suppressed
NO production by 35 and 40% when the macrophages were collected after
oral administration of neoandrographolide at doses of 5 and 25 mg/kg/d
and LPS stimulated NO production was examined. However,
andrographolide did not reduce NO production on oral administration at the
same doses. [7]

Andrographis paniculata may benefit diabetes, animal studies
suggest. [10-13]
Andrographis paniculata is a popular herb used by the diabetic patients in
Pampanga, Philippines. Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University
orally aministered Andrographis paniculata decoction to alloxan-induced
diabetic rats. They found that rats that were treated with Andrographis
paniculata had higher body weight compared with diabetic positive control
but exhibited lower body weight than the non-diabetic control. The blood
glucose levels in the Andrographis paniculata treated group was
significantly reduced from day 12 to day 27 compared with diabetic positive
control, however, comparable with non-diabetic control.    

Andrographis paniculata extracts show potential benefits in
cancers, animal and test-tube studies suggest. [14-16]
Ethanol extract of Andrographis paniculata and andrographolide were
found to have significantly growth inhibitory activities on human acute
myeloid leukemic HL-60 cells after 24 h of treatment. Researchers
concluded that the extract and andrographolide induce cell cycle arrest and
affect an intrinsic mitochondria-dependent pathway of apoptosis by
regulating the expression of some pro-apoptotic markers in HL-60 cells. [14]

Indian researchers noticed the anti-cancer activities of andrographolide on
different types of human cancer cells. [15]

With Very Limited Evidence, Andrographis paniculata may benefit
insomnia.

The extract exhibited a significant alteration in behaviour 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. [17]

Andrographis paniculata compounds show activities against virus
and infections. [18-25]
Aqueous extracts of  Andrographis paniculata showed significant
antimicrobial activity. [18]Andrographolide, neoandrographolide and
14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide, ent-labdene diterpenes
isolated from Andrographis paniculata showed viricidal activity against
herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). [19]

In a study of 152 patients with pharyngotonsillitis, researchers found that
the effects of high doses of Andrographis paniculata were comparable to
paracetamol on fever and sore throat. [20]

Researchers from the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, UK
reviewed five studies and concluded that that Andrographis paniculata is
superior to placebo in alleviating the subjective symptoms of uncomplicated
upper respiratory tract infection. There is also preliminary evidence of a
preventative effect. [21]

Andrographis paniculata may enhance immunity, test-tube studies
suggest.
Indian researchers noticed three diterpene compounds from Andrographis
paniculata had enhanced proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) induction in
human peripheral blood lymphocytes in their study. And, these compounds
are andrographolide, 14-deoxyandrographolide and
14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide. [26]

EtOH extract and purified diterpene andrographolides of Andrographis
paniculata (Acanthaceae) induced significant stimulation of antibody and
delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to sheep red blood cells
(SRBC) in mice. [27]

Andrographis paniculata may have effect on Cardiovascular system.
Reseachers observed the blood pressure lowering effects of an aqueous
extract of Andrographis paniculata in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
They explained that the hypotensive effect of this extract was probably
related to a reduced plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme levels and a
reduced level of free radical in the kidneys of the animals. [28]

A study of 16 dogs shows that Andrographis paniculata impeded
aggregation of platelets. Thus, researchers believe that it may help prevent
the formation of thrombi as well as the development of myocardial
infarction. [29]

In a study of 63 patients suffered from cardiac and cerebral vascular
diseases, researchers supplied the patients with Andrographis paniculata
extracts for one weeks. Researchers noticed that Andrographis paniculata
extracts inhibited the releasing of dense and alpha agranules from platelet.
They thought the raise of platelet cAMP level might be the mechanism of
antiplatelet effect of Andrographis paniculata. [30]

Andrographis may help liver Protection [8, 31-33]
Extracts of Andrographis paniculata have showed protection on liver from
various chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride. [31-33]

Andrographis may have effects on fertility, animal studies
suggested.
Researchers mixed Andrographis Paniculata powder with with animal's food
(Rats Pelletts) and fed female mice daily with this preparation for six weeks.
None of the animal were pregnant when mated with the male of proven
fertility who did not receive the drug. While, most of the control were
pregnant. [34]

Researchers fed male albino rats with dry leaf of Andrographis Paniculata
at a dose level of 20 mg powder per day for 60 days, resulted in cessation
of spermatogenesis, degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules,
regression of Leydig cells and regressive and/or degenerative changes in
the epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and coagulating gland.
The treatment also resulted in accumulation of glycogen and cholesterol in
the testis. [35]

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