The extract from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F Nees), a medicinal plant in the family Acanthaceae, is confirmed to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. In many parts of Asia, this plant has been widely used for the treatment of sore throat, the flu, and upper respiratory tract infections.
Andrographolide is the major bioactive component of this herbaceous plant contributing towards its medicinal properties. This bioactive compound has demonstrated significant anticancer potential in various investigations, with some of them still preliminary animal studies, but a wide range of its characteristics has already been confirmed in clinical experiments. It is reported to have considerable immunostimulatory, and antibacterial effects.
In recent decades, numerous andrographolide derivatives have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and even anti-HIV impacts. Andrographolide has been reported to exhibit potent anticancer activity against several cancer types, such as leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. In clinical studies, it has suppressed to a great extent the development of gastric cancer by the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis.
The chemical is also found valuable in treating cardiovascular disease and infertility. It has demonstrated a curative and preventive activity against diabetes, asthma, stroke, and arthritis. It can ease and speed up the recovery of diabetic nephropathy and stimulate powerfully human immune system powerfully.
Andrographolide successfully improves the condition of patients suffering from malaria, various allergies, and viral infections (herpes simplex virus, HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, flaviviruses, and pestiviruses). The biochemical has an impressive antimicrobial activity in cases of bacillary dysentery and acute gastroenteritis, also killing bacteria, such as Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, gram A streptococci, and Staphylococcus aureus.
The bioactive compound prevents antiplatelet aggregation and decreases the blood lipid content, thus lowering the risk of thromboembolism (thrombosis, strokes, and infarction). It has remarkable hepatoprotective (protecting the liver) and renoprotective (keeping kidney healthy) activities and has been applied in chronic hepatitis B viral infection treatment.
Andrographolide has been applied in upper respiratory tract infections (e.g. sore throat, pharyngotonsillitis), and has been found efficient in relieving also the symptoms of fever, tiredness, and sleeplessness.