Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh)

                  Andrographis paniculata

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Acanthaceae
Genus:	Andrographis
Species:	A. paniculata

 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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