Andrographis
Scientific Name(s): Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. Nees.
Common Name(s): Alui, Bhui-neem, Bhunimba, Chuanxinlian, Kalmegh, Kalmegha, Kalupnath, Kirayat, Mahatita, Sam biloto, Yavatikta
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 22, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Traditionally, andrographis has been used for liver complaints and fever, and as an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant. In clinical trials, andrographis extract has been studied for use as an immunostimulant in upper respiratory tract infections and HIV infection. The potential for use of andrographolide as an anticancer agent as well as for its immune and anti-inflammatory effects is being investigated. However, limited clinical studies have been published to support any of these uses.
Dosing
The usual daily dose of andrographolides for common cold, sinusitis, and tonsillitis is 60 mg. A clinical trial in children with upper respiratory tract infection reported the use of andrographolide 30 mg daily for 10 days.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been identified.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use. Adverse effects, including abortifacient effects, have been documented.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
In a clinical trial, headache, fatigue, rash, bitter/metallic taste, diarrhea, pruritus, and decreased sex drive were reported with andrographis 10 mg/kg body weight. One HIV-positive participant experienced an anaphylactic reaction.
Toxicology
No data.
Scientific Family
- Acanthaceae
Botany
A. paniculata is an erect annual herb native to India, China, and Southeast Asia and widely cultivated in Asia. The plant grows 30 to 110 cm in height. The square stem has wings on the angles of new growth and is enlarged at the nodes. The seeds are yellowish-brown, and small white flowers with rose-purple spots are borne on a spreading panicle. All plant parts have an extremely bitter taste. The aerial portion of the plant is harvested in the fall. The genetic variability of the species has been examined.1, 2, 3
History
A. paniculata has been used for centuries in India, China, Thailand, and other Asian countries and is present in 26 polyherbal formulations in the Ayurvedic traditional health system. A. paniculata is listed in the Pharmacopoeia ofthe People’sRepublicof China(1992 edition) as a cold property herb used to rid the body of fever and dispel toxins. An immunostimulant preparation known as KanJang, which contains A. paniculata and Eleutherococcus, has been used in Scandinavian countries. A. paniculata is also manufactured and marketed in the United States.3, 4, 5, 6
Chemistry
The diterpene lactone andrographolide was first isolated as a major constituent of A. paniculata7 and later characterized as a lactone.8, 9 Its full structure was determined in the 1960s10, 11 and x-ray crystallography later confirmed the structure.12 Several related minor diterpenes and their glycosides have since been identified.6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
