By Alex Panossian, PhD, DrSci

Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata)—known as the “King of Bitters”—is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from common colds and flus to indigestion, herpes simplex virus, joint pain and arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. 

One of the most well-known and researched benefits of Andrographis lies in its ability to bolster the immune system. The plant contains andrographolides—immune-enhancing compounds that have been shown to stimulate the production of white blood cells and enhance the body’s natural defense mechanisms.

This versatile plant has drawn the attention of researchers across various disciplines, prompting investigations into its wide array of pharmacological activities, toxicity profile, and therapeutic usage. Here are the top seven uses for Andrographis being researched today:

Andrographis Antiviral Effects

Estimates suggest that Americans get one billion colds per year. That’s an average of almost three colds per year for every single American. About half of all common colds are caused by rhinovirus—the source of the well-known upper-respiratory tract infection characterized by nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and sore throat, commonly occurring in the spring and fall. 

Approximately twenty percent of respiratory illnesses are caused by coronaviruses that occur most often in the coldest months of winter. Luckily, Andrographis is among the best-known botanicals for boosting your immune system’s ability to fight viruses and bacteria.

According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, Andrographis was found to shorten the duration of acute respiratory tract infection symptoms when compared to placebo. Authors reported that the most common treatment length was five to seven days, ranging from three days for an upper respiratory tract infection to fourteen days for bronchiectasis requiring administration three times daily.

A 2021 study examining Andrographis mechanisms of action found that the strong biological activity is associated with the presence of over 140 plant metabolites extracted from the aerial parts, roots, leaves, and whole plants. “A paniculata has an excellent potency among medicinal plants due to its broad spectrum of biological activities,” study authors reported. “Its mechanisms of action in inhibiting viral infection can be categorized into several categories, including regulating the viral entry stage, viral gene replication, and the formation of mature functional proteins. In addition, andrographolide suppresses the induction of cytokines and chemokines to prevent inflammation that can damage cells.”

Herpes

Herpes simplex is a lifelong virus that tends to stay dormant in the body for extended periods and causes periodic eruptions of cold sores, genital lesions, and shingles. It’s not surprising that the formidable immune-protective effects of Andrographis make it a valuable partner in the defense against herpes infections.

A 2022 animal study investigating andrographolide against herpes simplex virus type 1 (responsible for cold sores) found that a cream preparation was very effective in delaying the development of skin lesions and prompted regression of the skin lesion by day five, compared to placebo. Authors noted that no signs of irritation were observed at the application site. 

Treatment of herpes simplex virus usually includes the conventional pharmaceutical acyclovir, however, there can be side effects from using high doses and some resistant mutants of this virus have been documented in individuals receiving long-term medication. As such, topical administration of Andrographis represents a natural, safe therapeutic alternative in the management of herpes simplex virus. 

Joint Degeneration

Enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) trigger systemic inflammation that destroys cartilage—the tough connective tissue that cushions joints. Andrographis has been shown to stop those inflammatory triggers. 

When MMPs are active at normal levels, they help cartilage and other joint structures renew themselves and remove old cells. MMPs are like bricklayers replacing mortar. But if too much mortar is removed and not enough is replaced—as is the case with many joint diseases—you run the risk of joint instability, chronic inflammation, and arthritis. 

Other research confirms that andrographolide inhibits pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activity, leading to pain relief and reduction in swelling. Plus, Andrographis achieves this without the serious side effects of pain relievers called COX-2 inhibitors (eg, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and Celebrex). 

A 2022 review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that Andrographis is a valuable therapeutic candidate for a variety of inflammatory diseases, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, andrographolide preparations were shown to attenuate the inflammatory response safely and effectively. 

Study authors concluded, “Because of the increasing incidence of inflammation worldwide, there is an urgent need to identify a highly effective anti-inflammatory treatment. In this review, by analyzing the application and mechanism of andrographolide in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, we found that andrographolide has good anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and is a promising treatment for inflammatory diseases.” 

Antibacterial 

Andrographis has been shown to be a potent treatment for bacterial pneumonia (pneumococcal pneumonia) caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The disease is usually treated with antibiotics and has, in many cases, become antibiotic resistant. Andrographis stops dangerous bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus by preventing it from reproducing. 

Chinese researchers demonstrated that inhaled Andrographis, combined with a chemical delivery system called beta-cyclodextrin, could be considered a “potent weapon” against drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia. Additionally, a 2020 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine concluded that crude ethyl extract of Andrographis inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. 

As a potent immune enhancer, Andrographis is even more effective against bacterial infections when combined with immune stimulators, such as the herb Echinacea purpurea, zinc, propolis, and vitamin C. 

Alzheimer’s Disease

Perhaps the most important study on Andrographis and Alzheimer’s disease comes from Chilean research, published in 2016 in the journal Neurobiology of Aging. Using a unique breed of wild South American rodents with a tendency to develop age-related Alzheimer’s, researchers discovered that Andrographis not only worked to prevent the disease, but it also helped reverse memory loss. 

The Chilean study confirmed that Andrographis works in at least four ways to preserve and restore cognitive function:

• Boosts learning performance and spatial memory (the type of memory used to navigate through a familiar neighborhood or city).
• Restores the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other.
• Helps vital proteins maintain and preserve the chemical and electrical communication systems within the brain.
• Protects neurons—brain cells at the core of all thought and memory processes. 

Even more impressive, an Indian-German collaboration published in early 2018 concluded that Andrographis protects the brains of laboratory animals with diabetes. Since individuals with diabetes are at high risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the scientists concluded that the Ayurvedic herb may be a useful tool to help protect the brains of those with diabetes.

Cancer

The existing body of research suggests that Andrographis holds promise as a potential adjunctive therapy for cancer treatment due to its demonstrated anticancer effects, including:

Apoptosis: In numerous studies, Andrographis has been found to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) for several types of cancers, including breast, prostate, colon, and melanoma. Plus, Korean research on Andrographis confirmed the medicinal herb’s ability to slow or even stop the growth of tumors through the actions of key anticancer proteins. 

Metastasis Suppression: Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to distant parts of the body, is a significant challenge in cancer treatment. Andrographis has shown promise in inhibiting metastasis by interfering with cellular processes involved in cell migration and invasion.

Angiogenesis Inhibition: Andrographis compounds have been found to inhibit angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels are formed to supply nutrients and oxygen to tumors. This property can hinder the growth and spread of tumors by cutting off their blood supply.

Enhanced Sensitivity to Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: Some studies suggest Andrographis extracts could sensitize cancer cells to the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, potentially improving the efficacy of these conventional treatments while minimizing side effects.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation is often associated with cancer development and progression. Andrographis has been recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help create an unfavorable environment for cancer cell growth and metastasis.

A 2018 review investigating the therapeutic potential of Andrographis in cancer found that it not only stopped tumor replication in virtually every type of cancer tested, but it addressed key mechanisms, including inflammation, oxidation, cell replication, and cancer cell invasion. The authors concluded, “In this review, we have shown that andrographolide provides a wide range of preventive and therapeutic options against different types of cancer…After careful consideration of the relevant evidence, we suggest that Andrographis can be one of the potential agents in the treatment of cancer in the near future.”

Cholesterol and Triglycerides

One of the most impressive benefits of Andrographis lies in its ability to regulate lipid levels in the bloodstream. Research suggests that andrographolide and related compounds inhibit enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis, thereby reducing overall cholesterol production in the body. Moreover, Andrographis has been shown to enhance the breakdown of triglycerides, contributing to a healthier lipid profile.

In animal models with coronary heart disease, Andrographis has been shown to help protect against endothelial dysfunction. The endothelium—a thin layer of cells lining blood vessels—plays a crucial role in maintaining vascular health. Andrographis has demonstrated the potential to enhance endothelial function by promoting nitric oxide production, which helps relax blood vessels and supports healthy blood flow. This effect can contribute to the prevention of arterial stiffness and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

As a potent antioxidant, Andrographis can help neutralize harmful free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to cells and tissues. After all, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels are often linked to oxidative stress, which can damage blood vessels and promote atherosclerosis. Andrographis’ antioxidant defense contributes to the preservation of cardiovascular health and the prevention of lipid-related complications.

Interestingly, a 2015 clinical trial found that Andrographis extract was just as effective as gemfibrozil—a pharmaceutical that reduces the amount of fat produced by the liver in patients with elevated triglycerides and cholesterol. Considering Gemfibrozil can have serious side effects, including muscle weakness, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, and fatigue, researchers suggested Andrographis might be used as a safe and effective alternative for managing high triglycerides.

Ultimately, one of the most appealing aspects of Andrographis is its safety profile. As noted in a 2023 safety evaluation study, when used at the correct dose rate, Andrographis is well-tolerated and has occasional adverse effects that are mild, infrequent, and reversible to normal baseline. This makes Andrographis a favorable option for individuals seeking a natural approach to managing cholesterol and triglycerides without the concerns associated with certain pharmaceutical interventions.

As interest in natural remedies continues to grow, further research and clinical studies are likely to uncover even more of the remarkable potential that Andrographis holds.

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Alexander Panossian, PhD, DrSc, has multiple advanced degrees in bioorganic chemistry and chemistry of natural and physiologically active compounds. He was the editor-in-chief of Phytomedicine, International Journal of Phytopharmacology and Phytotherapy (Elsevier, Germany) from 2014 to 2017. He has authored or co-authored about 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals. His main research interest is focused on plant adaptogens—anti-stress compounds that are involved in the regulation of the neuroendocrine and immune systems.

Well Being Journal adapted the above passage by permission from Discover Andrographis by Alexander Panossian, Ph.D., DrSc, copyright 2019 by Take Charge Books, Brevard, NC. 

References available at the following website address: https://takechargebooks.com