Andrographis - Anti Inflammatory, Anti Viral and Anti Microbial
*This article is not medical advice. Before starting on any health related regimen, seek the advice of your Primary Care Physician or an M.D.
Andrographis
Andrographis is not an herb that receives alot of attention or writeups in the world of chronic illness, or health matters, but its one of my favorites. It has been formulated and branded as ParActin in some supplement blends. Andrographis has been used for colds, sore throat, influenza, respiratory infections, sinusitis, UTI's, diarrhea, and gut balancing. Most of pharmaceutical research has been done on the Andrographolide found in andrographis. However, there are some cautions involved [6, 7] related to lowering blood pressure, immune stimulation for auto immune folks:
“Andrographis is a potent inhibitor of iNOS, and immune stimulator, and also stimulates Heat Shock Proteins.”
Andrographis - But First a Warning...
Medicines that contain Andrographis paniculata require the following two warning statements[7]:
‘Andrographis may cause allergic reactions in some people. If you have a severe reaction (such as anaphylaxis), stop use and seek immediate medical attention.’ (or words to that effect).
‘Andrographis may cause taste disturbance including loss of taste. If you develop any adverse symptoms, stop use and seek medical advice.’ (or words to that effect) and allergic reactions.
Not enough research has been done on administration during pregnancy and breast feeding so play it safe and dont take it if this applies to you. There have been a few cases of allergic reactions to Andrographis in people allergic to the “daisy” family of plant so be cautious if that applies to you.
Both an Anti Inflammatory and Immune Stimulator [5]
Suppresses NOS2! [1]
Inhibits IL-6[2]
Inhibits TNFA, NFKB, RELA, NFKB1 [3]
Inhibits IL-1B, NLRP3 [4]
Neuro protective against cognitive decline from LPS, inhibits TLR4, MYD88 [8]
antiviral - details below (11)
antibacterial - details below (12)
antimalarial (13)
hepatoprotective (14)
anti-inflammatory (15)
platelet aggregation inhibiting (16,17)
anti-HIV
anti-allergic (18)
anti-histaminic properties and suppresses IL-2 (21, 22) and IL-12 (23).
Inhibits CXCL8, IL-8, ICAM1, STAT3, JAK1/2 (inflammatory chemokines, adhesion molecules, cytokine signaling)
Neuroprotective - inhibits Ca2+; voltage gated regulated calcium channels
TRP Receptor Modulation - TRPA1 inhibition, TRPV1 modulation (reduced activation)
Heat Shock Proteins - Induces HSP70, enhancing cellular resistance to thermal and oxidative stress; inhibits HSP90 impairing cancer cell survival
AntiMicrobial Action (12)
Andrographis also has anti microbial activities against the following bacteria:
Streptococus
Staphylococus Aurus
E-Coli
Salmonella
Shigella
Resolved 88.3% of acute bacillary dysentery and 91.3% of acute gastroenteritis cases (29).
AntiViral
Antiviral activity against Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) (26) and HIV.
Inhibits viral replication (e.g. dengue, influenza, SARS-CoV-2) by disrupting viral protein synthesis and host virus interaction pathways.
Increases Anti Oxidant Enzymes
Andrographis paniculata increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione. (19). Its also a free radical scavenger (20). Increases NrF2, NQO1, HMOX-1, GCLC.
Liver Protection
As, or even more, effective than silymarin (active component of milk thistle) [24] in reference to damage by ethanol and hepatitis B(25). Renal protective against damage from ingestion of certain antibiotics (27).
Aside from being available as ParActin, which is standardized, various other brands have economical options like Solaray.
Categories: General Health, Chronic Illness
Keywords: iNOS, NOS2, IL-6, NOS, NO, Antiviral, respiratory infections, antimicrobial, Streptococus, Staphylococus Aurus, E-Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, IDO1
References:
1. Andrographolide suppresses the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophage and restores the vasoconstriction in rat aorta treated with lipopolysaccharide. W F Chiou 1, J J Lin, C F Chen. Br J Pharmacol. . 1998 Sep;125(2):327-34. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0702073. PMID: 9786505. PMCID: PMC1565624. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0702073
2. Andrographolide, an herbal medicine, inhibits interleukin-6 expression and suppresses prostate cancer cell growth. Jae Yeon Chun 1, Ramakumar Tummala, et al. . 2010 Aug;1(8):868-76.
doi: 10.1177/1947601910383416. PMID: 21442031. PMCID: PMC3063649.
DOI: 10.1177/1947601910383416
3. Inhibition of TNF-α-Induced Inflammation by andrographolide via down-regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Haw-Wen Chen 1, Ai-Hsuan Lin, Hsing-Chin Chu, et al. J Nat Prod
. 2011 Nov 28;74(11):2408-13. doi: 10.1021/np200631v. Epub 2011 Oct 25.
PMID: 22026410. DOI: 10.1021/np200631v
4. Andrographolide mitigates IL 1β induced human nucleus pulposus cells degeneration through the TLR4/MyD88/NF κB signaling pathway. Calabrese C, Berman SH, Babish JG, et al. Molecular Medicine Reports, December-2018Volume 18 Issue 6. Print ISSN: 1791-2997Online ISSN:1791-3004. October 25, 2018 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.9599. Pages: 5427-5436
5. Extracts of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees Leaves Exert Anti-Gout Effects by Lowering Uric Acid Levels and Reducing Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Inflammation
Eldiza Puji Rahmi1* Endang Kumolosasi, et al. Front. Pharmacol., 10 January 2022. Sec. Ethnopharmacology. Volume 12 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.787125
6. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-973/andrographis7. Listed medicines containing Andrographis paniculata requiring warning statements. 27 July 2023. Government of Australia, Department of Health and Aged Care.
8. A standardised Andrographis paniculata Burm. Nees aqueous extract prevents Lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive deficits through suppression of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress mediators. Dahiru Sani,a,1 Nasir I.O. KhatabJ Adv Res. 2019 Mar; 16: 87–97.
Published online 2018 Nov 30. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2018.11.005. PMCID: PMC6412812
PMID: 30899592.
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14. Trivedi NP, Rawal UM. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant property of Andrographis paniculata (Nees) in BHC induced liver damage in mice. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 2001;39(1):41–46
15. Shen YC, Chen CF, Chiou WF. Andrographolide prevents oxygen radical production by human neutrophils: possible mechanism(s) involved in its anti-inflammatory effect. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2002;135(2):399–406.
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18. Xia YF, Ye BQ, Li YD, et al. Andrographolide attenuates inflammation by inhibition of NF-κB activation through covalent modification of reduced cysteine 62 of p 50. Journal of Immunology. 2004;173(6):4207–4217
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21. Deng WL. Outline of current clinical and pharmacological research on Andrographis paniculata in China. Newsletters Chinese Herbal Medicine. 1978;10,:27–31.
22. Iruretagoyena MI, Sepúlveda SE, Lezana JP, et al. Inhibition of nuclear factor-κB enhances the capacity of immature dendritic cells to induce antigen-specific tolerance in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2006;318(1):59–67.
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24. Singha PK, Roy S, Dey S. Protective activity of andrographolide and arabinogalactan proteins from Andrographis paniculata Nees. against ethanol-induced toxicity in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2007;111(1):13–21.
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27. Singh P, Srivastava MM, Khemani LD. Renoprotective effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees in rats. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences. 2009;114(3):136–139.
28. Sattayasai J, Srisuwan S, Arkaravichien T, Aromdee C. Effects of andrographolide on sexual functions, vascular reactivity and serum testosterone level in rodents. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2010;48(7):1934–1938
29. Chang, Hson-Mou, and Paul Pui-Hay But. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica: (Volume I). 2014.