Andrographis

An annual herbaceous plant that can reach 1 metre in height - Hairless, lance-shaped and pinnate - Small, white or pale pink flowers with touches of brown or purple - Numerous seeds in elongated pods.

Latin name

Andrographis paniculata

Origin

Plains of India, particularly Sri Lanka, China and South East Asia - Adapts to different habitats and has been introduced into Western Africa, among other regions - Extensively cultivated in China, Thailand and India.

Used part

The aerial parts.

Active components

Andrographolide This substance is responsible for the hepatoprotective effect but also for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-chill action.

Usage

Andrographis has been known and used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for a very long time. For centuries, it has been used to treat digestive system disorders, respiratory tract infections, fever and a variety of chronic and infectious diseases. Andrographis is currently used for respiratory disorders such as a cough and to naturally soothe the throat. _1-7 It supports the immune system thanks to its powerful antioxidant action and the modulating effect of the immune system. _8-11 Recent studies have shown that the "Kan jang” complex (the combination of andrographis with eleutherococcus) can successfully be used in a natural approach to winter ailments. _12-19

Bibliographical references

Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tractinfections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy.
Coon JT, Ernst E.
Planta Med. 2004 Apr;70(4):293-8.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15095142
Andrographolide: A Review of its Anti-inflammatoryActivity via Inhibition of NF-kappaB Activation from ComputationalChemistry Aspects
Jutti Levita, As`ari Nawawi, Abdul Mutalib and Slamet Ibrahim
International Journal of Pharmacology, 2010, Volume 6, Issue5, Page: 569-576.
Science Alert:http://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijp.2010.569.576
Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata, Nees forpharyngotonsillitis in adults.
Thamlikitkul V, Dechatiwongse T, Theerapong S, Chantrakul C,Boonroj P, Punkrut W, Ekpalakorn W, Boontaeng N, Taechaiya S,Petcharoen S, et al.
J Med Assoc Thai. 1991 Oct;74(10):437-42.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1797953
Andrographolide prevents oxygen radical production byhuman neutrophils: possible mechanism(s) involved in itsanti-inflammatory effect.
Shen YC, Chen CF, Chiou WF.
Br J Pharmacol. 2002 Jan;135(2):399-406.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11815375
Antimicrobial activity of Andrographis paniculata.
Singha PK, Roy S, Dey S.
Fitoterapia. 2003 Dec;74(7-8):692-4.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14630176
Analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and toxiceffects of andrographolide derivatives in experimental animals
Supawadee Suebsasana, Panicha Pongnaratorn, JintanaSattayasai, Tarinee Arkaravichien, Siriporn Tiamkao, ChantanaAromdee
Archives of Pharmacal Research September 2009, Volume 32,Issue 9, pp 1191-1200
Springer Link:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12272-009-1902-x
Use of visual analogue scale measurements (VAS) to assesthe effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extractSHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of common cold. A randomized doubleblind-placebo study.
Cáceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, Sandberg F, Wikman GK.
Phytomedicine. 1999 Oct;6(4):217-23.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10589439
Immunostimulant agents from Andrographis paniculata.
Puri A, Saxena R, Saxena RP, Saxena KC, Srivastava V, TandonJS.
J Nat Prod. 1993 Jul;56(7):995-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8377022
Antioxidative and cytoprotective effects ofandrographolide against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells.
Krithika R, Verma R, Shrivastav P.
Hum Exp Toxicol. 2012 Sep 27.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23023025

10. Antioxidant and gastroprotective activities ofAndrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi) in Sprague Dawley rats.
Wasman SQ, Mahmood AA, Chua LS, Alshawsh MA, Hamdan S.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2011 Oct;49(10):767-72.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22013743
Antioxidant, antioedema and analgesic activities ofAndrographis paniculata extracts and their active constituentandrographolide.
Lin FL, Wu SJ, Lee SC, Ng LT.
Phytother Res. 2009 Jul;23(7):958-64.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19142986
A randomized, controlled study of Kan Jang versusamantadine in the treatment of influenza in Volgograd.
Kulichenko LL, Kireyeva LV, Malyshkina EN, Wikman G.
J Herb Pharmacother. 2003;3(1):77-93.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15277072
Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase IIIstudy of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata HerbaNees extract fixed combination (Kan jang) in the treatment ofuncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infection.
Melchior J, Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV, Bulanov AE, Wikman G.
Phytomedicine. 2000 Oct;7(5):341-50.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11081985
A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinicalevaluation of extract of Andrographis paniculata (KalmCold) inpatients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection.
Saxena RC, Singh R, Kumar P, Yadav SC, Negi MP, Saxena VS,Joshua AJ, Vijayabalaji V, Goudar KS, Venkateshwarlu K, Amit A.
Phytomedicine. 2010 Mar;17(3-4):178-85.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20092985
Controlled clinical study of standardized Andrographispaniculata extract in common cold - a pilot trial
J. Melchior, S. Palm, G. Wikman
Phytomedicine Volume 3, Issue 4, February 1997, Pages 315–318
Science Direct:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711397800025
Prevention of common colds with Andrographis paniculatadried extract. A Pilot double blind trial.
Cáceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, Wikman GK.
Phytomedicine. 1997 Jun;4(2):101-4.
Science Direct: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23195395
A double-blind study with a new monodrug Kan Jang:Decrease of symptoms and improvement in the recovery from commoncolds
Juan Hancke, Rafael Burgos, Dante Caceres, Georg Wikman
Phytotherapy Research Volume 9, Issue 8, pages 559–562,December 1995
Wiley Online Library:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.2650090804/abstract
A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographispaniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acuteupper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis.
Gabrielian ES, Shukarian AK, Goukasova GI, Chandanian GL,Panossian AG, Wikman G, Wagner H.
Phytomedicine. 2002 Oct;9(7):589-97.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12487322
Comparative controlled study of Andrographis paniculatafixed combination, Kan Jang and an Echinacea preparation asadjuvant, in the treatment of uncomplicated respiratory disease inchildren.
Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV, Chernikov MV, Wikman G.
Phytother Res. 2004 Jan;18(1):47-53.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14750201