Key Constituents

Diterpenoid lactones^{[2, 3, 10, 11]}

Andrographolide is the principal active compound; also neoandrographolide and deoxyandrographolide.

Flavonoids^[11]

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.

Flavonoids

Polyphenols and other phenolics^[11]

Contribute to antioxidant activity.

Phenolic compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[2, 7, 9, 10, 11]}

Antimicrobial^{[1, 6, 8, 10, 11]}

Antimicrobial and antiviral

Antipyretic (reduces fever)^{[11, 12]}

Antipyretic (fever)

Antiviral^{[1, 5, 8, 10, 11]}

Antimicrobial and antiviral

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[10, 11]}

Immunostimulant / immune support

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[10, 11]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Cold & flu^{[10, 12, 13]}Good · 8/10

Symptomatic relief of the common cold and acute upper respiratory tract infection (reduces symptom severity and duration)

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Fever^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

Antipyretic (fever)

more plants for fever →detailed sources →

Immune support^{[10, 11]}Moderate · 5/10

Immunostimulant / immune support

more plants for immune support →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[10, 12, 13]}Good · 8/10

Symptomatic relief of the common cold and acute upper respiratory tract infection (reduces symptom severity and duration)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[10, 11]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[10, 11]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Sore throat^{[12, 13]}Good · 7/10

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[10, 11]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[10, 12]}Caution

Avoid in pregnancy and when trying to conceive: high doses have shown reproductive toxicity in animals and the herb has a traditional reputation as an abortifacient.

Safety note^[10]Caution

High doses have caused nephrotoxicity and reproductive toxicity in studies; use standardized products at recommended doses and avoid prolonged high-dose use.

Safety note^{[10, 12]}Caution

May lower blood pressure and blood sugar and may interact with anticoagulant/antiplatelet, antihypertensive and immunosuppressant medicines; allergic reactions can occur.

References

REF-1615, REF-1616, REF-1617, REF-1618, REF-1619, REF-1620, REF-1621, REF-1622, REF-1623

References & Sources

Okonogi, R. and others (2023) 'Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata spray in acute pharyngitis: A randomized controlled trial', Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, 17(5), pp. 315-321. doi:10.5582/ddt.2023.01053 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.5582/ddt.2023.01053
Hossain, S., Urbi, Z., Karuniawati, H., Mohiuddin, R.B. and others (2018) 'Overview of pharmacological activities of Andrographis paniculata and its major compound andrographolide', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 61(10), pp. 1635-1652. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1501657 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1501657
Worakunphanich, W. and others (2021) 'Andrographis paniculata Formulations: Impact on Diterpene Lactone Oral Bioavailability', European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 46(5), pp. 565-581. doi:10.1007/s13318-021-00736-7 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13318-021-00736-7
Worakunphanich, W., Thavorncharoensap, M., Youngkong, S., Thakkinstian, A. and Chaikledkaew, U (2021) 'Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 30(6), pp. 727-739. doi:10.1002/pds.5190 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.5190
Kumar, S., Singh, B. and Bajpai, V (2021) 'Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees and its major constituent andrographolide as potential antiviral agents', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 274, pp. 113954. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.113954 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.113954
Barbosa, F.L. and others (2021) 'Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees: An Updated Review of Phytochemistry, Antimicrobial Pharmacology, and Clinical Safety and Efficacy', Life, 11(4), pp. 348. doi:10.3390/life11040348 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/life11040348
Singh, P. and others (2022) 'Andrographis paniculata mitigates first-line anti-tubercular drugs-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats', Biomarkers, 27(4), pp. 385-394. doi:10.1080/1354750X.2022.2043444 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/1354750X.2022.2043444
Coon, J.T. and Ernst, E (2004) 'Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials', Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 29(1), pp. 37-45. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00534.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00534.x
Rondee, N. and others (2023) 'The Effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall. Ex Nees and Andrographolide on Neuroinflammation in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases', Nutrients, 15(15), pp. 3428. doi:10.3390/nu15153428 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153428
Zeng, B., Wei, A., Zhou, Q., Yuan, M., Lei, K., Liu, Y., Song, J., Guo, L. and Ye, Q (2021) 'Andrographolide: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and clinical trials and pharmaceutical researches', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.7324 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7324
Gonde, D.P., Bhole, B.K. and Kakad, K.S (2023) 'Andrographolide, diterpenoid constituent of Andrographis paniculata: Review on botany, phytochemistry, molecular docking analysis, and pharmacology', Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises. doi:10.1016/j.pharma.2023.10.001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharma.2023.10.001
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (n.d.) 'Andrographis (About Herbs)'. Available at: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/andrographis Traditional / reference
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/andrographis
Hu, X.Y., Wu, R.H., Logue, M., Blondel, C., Lai, L.Y.W., Stuart, B., Flower, A., Fei, Y.T., Moore, M., Shepherd, J., Liu, J.P. and Lewith, G (2017) 'Andrographis paniculata (Chuan Xin Lian) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis', PLoS ONE. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181780 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181780

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