Andrographis: A Bitter and Powerful Herb

Summary

Andrographis paniculata is a bitter herb with many pharmacological actions in the body and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. The main active ingredient, andrographolide, is responsible for many of its effects, including relieving diverse conditions and symptoms.

Historical Use of Andrographis Paniculata

Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), an annual flowering herb, belongs to the Acanthaceae family and is widely found in Southern and Southeastern Asia.1,2 It is commonly referred to as “king of the bitters” due to its extremely bitter taste.1 Historically, it was used as a part of ancient oriental and ayurvedic medicine.3 In traditional Chinese medicine, it is considered a cold-property herb, working to rid the body of heat and fever.3

The Andrographis plant, alone or in combination with other medicinal plants, was used throughout history for a variety of ailments including:1-5

• Respiratory tract infections including colds

• Gonorrhea, herpes, and hepatitis

• Boils, skin eruptions and infections, and leprosy

• Chronic and seasonal fevers and cough

• Irregular bowel habits, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, and stomachaches

• Jaundice and liver complaints

• Snake bites and poisonous insect stings

• Dysentery, malaria, and helminthiasis

• Cardiovascular diseases and hypertriglyceridemia

The whole plant and its components exert a variety of beneficial effects at the cellular and tissue levels:1,3,5

• Anti-microbial

• Cytotoxic

• Anti-protozoan

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antioxidant

• Immunostimulatory

• Anti-diabetic

• Anti-infective

• Anti-angiogenic

• Anti-malarial

• Anti-fibrosis

• Anti-hyperlipidemic

• Anti-viral

• Anti-fungal

• Anti-cancer

• Cardioprotective

• Hepato-renal protective

• Hormone modulatory

Typically, the parts of the Andrographis plant are used separately, including the aerial parts and roots, and can be used as a powder, infusion, or decoction.1,3 Extracts can be made from acetone, chloroform, ethanol, hexane, methanolic, or aqueous extracts and possess different properties depending on their composition.1 The extracts often differ in the levels of andrographolide, the primary bioactive component of Andrographis, and therefore possess different pharmacological properties.1

Andrographis also contains therapeutically active secondary metabolites including lactones, diterpenes, flavonoids, quinic acid, xanthones, and noriridoids.1,3 Of the hundreds of secondary metabolites that have been discovered, approximately 80 displayed pharmacological activities.1,4 Andrographis also contains many trace minerals and macrominerals including chromium, manganese, copper, nickel, zinc, cobalt, selenium, potassium, and calcium.1,3