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 Botany
Annual herb, erect,
growing to a height of 30 to 100 cm. Stems are quadrangular. Leaves
are simple, opposite, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, glabrous. Flowers
are white, bilabiate, with rose-purple spots or markings in the lower
lip in axillary or terminal racemes or panicles. Fruit is a capsule,
linear-oblong, up to 2 cm long and 4 mm wide, furrowed, compressed longitudinally
with small seeds.
Constituents
• Contains diterpene lactones, glycosides, b-sitosterol-d-glucoside,
and flavanoids.
•The active constituent of the extract is andrographolide.
Properties
• Extremely bitter and cooling.
• Antidiarrheal, antipyretic, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial.
• Stomachic, febrifuge.
• Antityphoid, antifungal, antimalarial, antihepatotoxic.
• Anti-cancer.
• Tonic and immune-boosting.
Uses
Folkloric
Used for fever and
liver ailments.
Used for diarrhea.
Abortifacient.
Extensively used in Ayurvedic
medicine. Is in 26 Ayurvedic formulations to treat liver disorders.
Called "Indian echinachea" for its use in the prevention and
treatment of the common cold.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine,
use for fevers and to remove toxins from the body.
In Scandinavian countries,
used to prevent and treat common colds.
Studies
• Research has shown a wide range of pharmacologic
effects.
• In China, found effective in preventing blood clots and re-clogging
of arteries post-angioplasty.
• Herb activates fibrinolysis (dissolution of blood clots) and
has a blood pressure lowering effect.
• May inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells.
• Studied for its anti-viral activity in HIV and AIDS, found to
increase AZT's ability to inhibit HIV replication.
• Studied for E. coli associated diarrhea and dysentery.
• Comparative Study in Uncomplicated
Common Colds : Study comparing Kan Jang, a fixed herbal
combination with Adrographis paniculata with Immunal containing E purpureafound
adjuvant treatment with Kan Jang more effective in parameters of nasal
congestion and secretion.
• Anti-Malarial :
(1) Study of extracts of A paniculata and Hedyotis corymbosa, known hepatoprotective
and fever-reducing was tested for antimalarial activity. Results suggested
further studies for a potential herbal drug for malaria treatment. (2) Methanolic extracts of A paniculata and H corymbosa showed inhibition of the ring stage of the parasite without in vivo toxicity, whether used in isolation or in combination with curcumin.
• Antioxidant / Anticarcinogenic:
Study showed antioxidant action of the aqueous extract of AP which may
play a role in the anticarcinogenic activity by reducing oxidative stress.
Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), as tumor marker, showed decreased activity.
Extract effect on more effective than anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX).
• Anti-inflammatory:
(1) Study showed andrograpanin, one of its components, enhanced chemokine
SDF-1 alpha- induced leukocytes chemotaxis. (2) Study isolated active compounds showing anti-inflammatory activity, significantly dec4reasing TNF-a, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and nitric oxide secretions. Study provides encouraging results for bioactive compound development.
• Diabetes: Study
of commercially prepared spray-dried ethanolic extract of AP on STZ-induced
diabetic female rates showed increased survival rate and endocrine cell
density, improved estrus cycle and reduced "insulin resistance"
phenomenon.
• Antivenom activity:
(1) Study was done on the antivenom activity of A paniculata and Aristolochia
indica plant extracts against Echis carinatus venom. Results showed
both plant extracts could for used for therapy in patients with snakebite
envenomation. (2) Study for antivenom activity against Daboia russelli venom confirmed A paniculata and A indica to possess potent snake venom neutralizing capacity.
• Anti-Hyperglycemic / Renal Protective:
Study showed significant antidiabetic activity with extract of AP roots
supporting its traditional Ayurveda use for diabetes. Study also showed
preventive effect for diabetic nephropathy.
• Spermatogenesis and Semen Quality Study:
Study compared Kan Jang, a fixed combo of Andrographis paniculata extract (SHA-10) and Acanthopanax senticosus, with Valeriana officinalis and Panax ginseng for spermatogenesis and semen effect. Results showed all three to be safe with respect to effects on human male sterility.
• Antinociceptive / Antiedematogenic:
Study isolated andrographolide from the leaves of A paniculata. Results showed andrographolide has antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities, probably modulated via nonopioid mechanisms.
• Respiratory Tract Infection Therapy:
Review of data suggest that A paniculata is superior to placebo and may be a promising treatment for the subjective symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infection. With few reports of adverse events with short-term use, A paniculata presents as an herbal treatment option.
• Anti-Fertility Effect:
Results of study of water extract of A paniculata suggest that due to lower level of hormone, female rats have promising percentage of infertility with AP.
• Renoprotective Effect:
Study of aqueous extract of whole plant of A paniculata exhibits a significant renoprotective effect in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats.
Availability
• Wild crafted.
• Extracts, capsules and supplement in the cybermarkets.
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