Andrographis Benefits | Immune, Respiratory & Liver Support

References

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Caceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, et al. Use of visual analogue scale measurements (VAS) to assess the effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of common cold. A randomized, double-blind, placebo study. Phytomedicine 1999;6:217-23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10465169 

Madav S, Tripathi HC, Tandan SK, et al. Antiallergic activity of andrographolide. Indian J Pharm Sci 1998;60:176-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9849491 

Puri A, Saxena R, Saxena RP, et al. Immunostimulant agents from Andrographis paniculata. J Nat Prod 1993;56:995-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8226145 

Caceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, Wikman GK. Prevention of common colds with Andrographis Paniculata dried extract: a pilot, double-blind trial. Phytomedicine 1997;4:101-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9362234 

Thamlikitkul, V, et al.: Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata nees for pharyngotonsillitis in adults. J Med Assoc Thai. 74(10), 1991, 437–442. http://www.tmj.or.th/index.php/tmj/article/view/143/131 

Thamlikitkul, V, et al.: Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata nees for pharyngotonsillitis in adults. J Med Assoc Thai. 74(10), 1991, 437–442. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1797953

Suebsasana, S, et al.: Analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and toxic effects of andrographolide derivatives in experimental animals. Archives of Pharmacal Research. 32(9), 2009, 1191–1200.Tang, T, et al.: Randomised clinical trial: herbal extract HMPL-004 in active ulcerative colitis – a double-blind comparison with sustained release mesalazine. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 33(2), 2011, 194–202. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19784573

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Sheeja, K, et al.: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the plant Andrographis paniculata Nees. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 28(1), 2006, 129–140. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16684672

PharyngotonsillitisA clinical benefit of andrographis in the treatment of pharyngotonsillitis was reported in one early RCT involving 152 volunteers (Thamlikitkul et al 1991). Symptoms of sore throat and fever were reduced at a dose of 6 g/day of a non-standardised andrographis preparation after 3 days. No subsequent research appears to have been conducted for this indication to confirm these results.Ulcerative colitisTwo RCTs have found benefits for andrographis treatment in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.The efficacy of Andrographis paniculata (HMPL-004) in the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis was assessed in a double-blind RCT (n = 224) (Sandborn et al 2013). Two different strengths of andrographis (1200 mg, or 1800 mg per day) were compared to placebo over 8 weeks. By the end of the treatment period, a clinical response was achieved in 60% of patients receiving andrographis 1800 mg/day (P = 0.02), compared to 45% taking the 1200 mg dose and 40% of those taking placebo (P = 0.6 andrographis 1200 mg vs placebo) (Sandborn et al 2013). Therefore, only the higher strength was significantly superior to placebo whereas the lower dose of andrographis was not effective. Interestingly, the lower dose of andrographis 1200 mg (HMPL-004) daily was as effective as slow-release mesalazine (4500 mg/day) after 8 weeks in another multicentre RCT involving 120 patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (Tang et al 2011).Rheumatoid arthritisAnti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects have been observed in laboratory and animal studies providing the basis of investigation into the effects of andrographis in rheumatoid arthritis. To date, only one clinical study has been published, producing promising results.Treatment with andrographis tablets (standardised to 30 mg andrographolide/tablet) three times a day for 14 weeks significantly reduced joint tenderness, number of swollen or tender joints and total grade of swollen or tender joints compared to placebo in a double-blind RCT involving 60 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (Burgos et al 2009). A reduction in rheumatoid factor IgA and C4 was also observed. Of note, participants were not permitted to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the study and paracetamol was only used in cases of severe pain. Joint pain intensity decreased in the andrographis treatment group compared to the placebo group, but the difference was not statistically significant (Burgos et al 2009).