Andrographis paniculata
Scientific classification
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Kingdom:
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Plantae
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(unranked):
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Angiosperms
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(unranked):
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Eudicots
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(unranked):
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Asterids
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Order:
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Lamiales
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Family:
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Acanthaceae
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Genus:
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Andrographis
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Species:
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A. paniculata
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Andrographis paniculata is a herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka.
It is widely cultivated in Southern and Southeastern Asia, where it is used to treat infections and some diseases, often being used before antibiotics were created. Mostly the leaves and roots were used for medicinal purposes.
Andrographis paniculata is a plant that has been effectively used in traditional Asian medicines
for centuries. Its perceived “blood purifying” property results in its use in
diseases where blood “abnormalities” are considered causes of disease, such as
skin eruptions, boils, scabies, and chronic undetermined fevers. "e aerial
part of the plant, used medicinally, contains a large number of
chemicalconstituents, mainly lactones, diterpenoids, diterpene glycosides,
flavonoids, and flavonoid glycosides. Controlled clinical trials report its
safe and effective use for reducing symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory
tract infections.
Since many of the disease conditions commonly treated with A.
paniculata in traditional medical systems are considered self-limiting, its
purported benefits need critical evaluation. "is review summarizes current
scientific findings and suggests further research to verify the therapeutic
efficacy of A. paniculata. A. paniculata, known on the Indian
subcontinent as Chirayetah and Kalmegh in Urdu and Hindi languages,
respectively, is an annual plant, 1-3 ft high, that is one of the most commonly
used plants in the traditional systems of Unani and Ayurvedic medicines. It is
called Creat in English and is known as the “king of bitters.” It grows in hedge
rows throughout the plains of India and is also cultivated in gardens. [Kabeeruddin (1937) & Dymock (1972)] It also grows in
many other Asian countries and is used as a traditional herbal medicine in
China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and "Tailand"
aerial parts are most commonly used; however, the whole plant or roots are
mentioned for certain limited purposes in some manuscripts. Traditionally, the
plant was used as an infusion, decoction, or powder, either alone or in combination
with other medicinal plants. In modern times, and in many controlled clinical
trials, commercial preparations have tended to be standardized extracts of the
whole plant. Since many disease conditions commonly treated with A.
paniculata in traditional medical systems are considered self-limiting, its
purported benefits need critical evaluation. "is review summarizes current
scientific findings and suggests areas where further research is needed.
Distribution
A. paniculata is distributed in
tropical Asian countries, often in isolated patches. It can be found in a
variety of habitats, such as plains, hillsides, coastlines, and disturbed and
cultivated areas such as roadsides, farms, and wastelands. Native populations
of A. paniculata are spread throughout south India and Sri Lanka which
perhaps represent the center of origin and diversity of the species. The herb
is an introduced species in northern parts of India, Java, Malaysia,
Indonesia, the West Indies, and elsewhere in the Americas. The species also
occurs in Hong Kong, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, and other parts of Asia where
it may or may not be native. The plant is cultivated in many areas, as well.
Unlike other species of the genus, A. paniculata is of common
occurrence in most places in India, including the plains and hilly areas up to
500 m, which accounts for its wide use. Since time immemorial, village and
ethnic communities in India have been using this herb for treating a variety of
ailments.
Uses in Traditional Medical Systems
A. paniculata has been reported as having antibacterial, antifungal,
antiviral, choleretic, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and adaptogenic
effects.[Bhatnagar., et
al., 1961) .
In the Unani system of medicine, it is considered
aperient, anti-inflammatory, emollient, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue,
gastric and liver tonic, carminative, antihelmintic, and antipyretic. Due to
its “blood purifying” activity it is recommended for use in cases of leprosy,
gonorrhea, scabies, boils, skin eruptions, and chronic and seasonal fevers.[ Kabeeruddin & Kitabul 1937] Juice or an infusion of fresh leaves is given to
infants to relieve griping, irregular bowel habits, and loss of appetite.[Dymock & Chopra et al. 1972] "e leaves and root are also used in general debility, during
convalescence after fevers, for dyspepsia associated with gaseous distension,
and in advanced stages of dysentery.[ Khory RN & Katrak NN. 1972 ]
In China, the herb derived from the leaves or aerial
parts of A. paniculata is known as Chuanxinlian, Yijianxi or Lanhelian.
It is described as bitter and cold, is considered to be antipyretic,
detoxicant, anti-inflammatory, and detumescent,
and is thought to remove “pathogenic heat” from the
blood. A. paniculata is used for the treatment of pharyngolaryngitis,
diarrhea, dysentery, cough with thick sputum, carbuncle, sores, and snake bites.[ Chang and But 1987]
Various preparations and compound formulas of the
herb have been used to treat infectious and non-infectious diseases, with
significant effective rates reported for conditions such as epidemic
encephalitis B, suppurative otitis media, neonatal subcutaneous annular ulcer,
vaginitis, cervical erosion, pelvic inflammation, herpes zoster, chicken pox,
mumps, neurodermatitis, eczema, and burns. [ Chang and But 1987]
Modern Uses
A primary modern use of A. paniculata is for the
prevention and treatment of the common cold. It appears to have antithrombotic
actions, suggesting a possible benefit in cardiovascular disease.[Amroyan et al. 1999] Pharmacological and clinical studies suggest the potential for beneficial
effects in diseases like cancer
(See et al., 2002, Sheeja,2007, Shi, 2008, Yang 2009) and HIV infections. (Calabrese et
al., 2000)
Medicinal use
Since ancient times, A.
peniculata is used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic systems of medicine
as well as in tribal medicine in India and some other countries for multiple
clinical applications. From a biomedicinal perspective, the therapeutic value
of Kalmegh is due to its mechanism of action which is perhaps by enzyme
induction. The plant extract exhibits antityphoid and antifungal activities. Kalmegh
is also reported to possess antihepatotoxic, antibiotic, antimalarial,
antihepatitic, antithrombogenic, antiinflammatory, [ Thiyagarajan et al. 2011] anti-snake venom, and antipyretic
properties to mention a few, besides its general use as an immunostimulant
agent.[ Burgos el al (2009)] A study conducted at Bastyr University, showed a significant rise in the mean CD4 lymphocyte level of HIV subjects after
administration of 10 mg/kg andrographolide, (Chang & But., 1987) the chief constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant.
The herb has shown an ability to reduce inflammation and viral infection,
and is used as a principal ingredient in traditional Chinese medicinal formulas
against cold infection. [Kate Wright (2009)]
In one Chilean study, the herb had a significant drying effect on the nasal secretions of cold sufferers who took 1,200 milligrams
of andrographis extract daily for five days. [Cáceres & Hancke (1999)] A systematic review of the
literature and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials also suggested the herb alone or in
combination with eleuthero may be an appropriate alternative
treatment of uncomplicated acute upper respiratory tract infection., [Poolsup et al (2004) & Schulz V (2010) ]
The herb is the well-known as Kalmegh 'green chiretta', and forms the
principal ingredient of a household medicine ('alui'), used as a bitter tonic
and febrifuge.
The Tamils have been using Nilavempu - as it is called in Tamil - for
centuries. In Siddha medicine, Andrographis Paniculata is used widely to
treat fevers like chikenguinea, swine-flu, typhoid etc.
A recent study found Andrographis paniculata as effective as mesalazine (mesalamine) in ulcerative colitis. [Tang & Targan (2011)] Further, andrographolide inhibits
interleukin-6 expression and suppresses prostate cancer cell growth in vitro.[ hun JY & Tummala R (2010)]
Andrographis has been shown to be a safe traditional remedy for upper
respiratory tract diseases [Coon JT, Ernst E(2004)] The herb has been shown to inhibit RANTES secretion in inflamed bronchial
cells. RANTES is a chemo attractant for eosinophils,
monocytes and lymphocytes that is stored in, and released by, platelets and
activated T-cells [Ko & Wei BL(2006)]. In related research: Andrographolide, an active ingredient in
Andrographis, has been shown to be responsible for the herb's inflammatory
modulating actions, including the reduction of cytokine and peritoneal
deposition of neutrophils, and modulation of lung inflammation in vivo. Extracts of Andrographis exhibit
potent inflammatory modulating and antioxidant actions in mouse models. [Sheeja K & Shihab PK(2006)]
Phytochemistry
Andrographolide is the major constituent extracted
from the leaves of the plant which is a bicyclic diterpenoid lactone. This bitter principle was isolated in pure form by Gorter (1911). Such other activities as liver protection under
various experimental conditions of treatment with galactosamine [Saraswat et al., 1995], paracetamol [Visen et al., 1993] etc. are also attributed to Andrographolide. The hepatoprotective action
of andrographolide is related to the activity of certain metabolic enzymes [Choudhury and Poddar, 1984, 1985;
Choudhury et al., 1987]. Systematic studies on chemistry of A. paniculata have been
carried out. [Chao & Lin (2010)]
Some known constituents are:
- "14-Deoxy-11-dehydroandrographolide
- Plant
- 14-Deoxy-11-oxoandrographolide
- Plant
- 5-Hydroxy-7,8,2',3'-Tetramethoxyflavone
- Plant
- Andrographine
- Root
- Andrographolide
- Plant
- Neoandrographolide
- Plant
- Panicoline
- Root
- Paniculide-A
- Plant
- Paniculide-B
- Plant
Mechanisms of Action
Hepatoprotective Effects
A. paniculata is extensively
used as a hepatostimulant and hepatoprotective agent in Indian systems of
medicine. [Trivedi &
Rawal (2001)] A. paniculata is also an ingredient in several
polyherbal preparations used as hepatoprotectants in India, [Ram VJ.(2001)]one of which has been reported as efficacious in chronic
hepatitis B virus infection. [Rajkumar (2007)]
Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Effects
A. paniculata has been
extensively used to treat a variety of conditions of infectious origin in traditional
systems of medicine. Modern research has investigated it for activity against
various bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Crude powder suspended in water was
reported to be devoid of in vitro antibacterial activity against
Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, gram A Streptococci, and Staphylococcus
aureus, even at a concentration of 25 mg/mL crude powder. Administration of
a single oral dose of powder, up to 6 g, to healthy volunteers in a randomized
crossover manner or daily administration of 0.12-24 g/kg body weight to rats
for six months also failed to show any ex vivo antibacterial activity.[Leelarasamee et al (1990)]
Cardiovascular Effects
Aqueous extract of A. paniculata produced a
dose-dependent fall in systolic blood pressure of both spontaneously
hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats, with a
corresponding significant decrease in plasma angiotensin converting enzyme
(ACE) activity and lipid peroxidation in kidneys in extract-treated SHRs.
Decreases in ACE activity and lipid peroxidation were not significantly altered
in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. [Zhang & Tan
(1996)]
Antihyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Effects
Water extract of A. paniculata significantly
prevents orally administered glucose-induced hyperglycemia in nondiabetic
rabbits without affecting epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia. Chronic
administration of the extract for six weeks also showed no effect on fasting
blood glucose level. However, ethanol extract, administered orally twice daily
for 14 days to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats significantly reduced
fasting serum glucose and increased body weight in a dose-dependent manner [ Borhanuddin et al (1994)] . The extract also
significantly lowered levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in
liver and kidney compared to vehicle-treated rats, while significantly
increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes and
hepatic glutathione concentrations in diabetic rats. [Zhang & Tan ( 2000)]
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