Background
- The leaves of Andrographis paniculata have been as part of Indian folk medicine and Ayurveda for centuries. The Chinese and Thai herbal medicine systems have also used this herb, mostly for its "bitter" properties, as a treatment for digestive problems and for a variety of fever-causing illnesses. More recently, this herb has become popular in Scandinavia as a remedy for upper respiratory infections (URIs) and the flu.
- The most widely tested product is a product called Kan Jang® (Swedish Herbal Institute). This product is available with andrographis alone and in combination with Eleutherococcus senticosus.
- There is reasonably strong evidence from clinical trials to suggest that andrographis effectively reduces the severity and the duration of URIs. Based on animal and laboratory studies, andrographis may have a number of other potential therapeutic uses, including as an anti-inflammatory agent and as a treatment for chemically-induced liver damage. It has also been studied in human clinical trials for the flu and familial Mediterranean fever.
References
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
- Amaryan G, Astvatsatryan V, Gabrielyan E, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, pilot clinical trial of ImmunoGuard--a standardized fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata Nees, with Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim, Schizandra chinensis Bail. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extracts in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever. Phytomedicine 2003;10(4):271-285.
View Abstract - Calabrese C, Berman SH, Babish JG, et al. A phase I trial of andrographolide in HIV positive patients and normal volunteers. Phytother Res 2000;14(5):333-338.
View Abstract - Carr RR, Nahata MC. Complementary and alternative medicine for upper-respiratory-tract infection in children. Am J Health Syst.Pharm 1-1-2006;63(1):33-39.
View Abstract - Coon JT, Ernst E. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Med 2004;70(4):293-298.
View Abstract - Dua VK, Ojha VP, Roy R, et al. Anti-malarial activity of some xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata. J Ethnopharmacol 2004;95(2-3):247-251.
View Abstract - Gabrielian ES, Shukarian AK, Goukasova GI, et al. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis. Phytomedicine 2002;9(7):589-597.
View Abstract - Iruretagoyena MI, Tobar JA, Gonzalez PA, et al. Andrographolide interferes with T cell activation and reduces experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the mouse. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2005;312(1):366-372.
View Abstract - Kligler B, Ulbricht C, Basch E, et al. Andrographis paniculata for the treatment of upper respiratory infection: a systematic review by the natural standard research collaboration. Explore (NY) 2006 Jan;2(1):25-9.
View Abstract - Kulichenko LL, Kireyeva LV, Malyshkina EN, et al. A randomized, controlled study of Kan Jang versus amantadine in the treatment of influenza in Volgograd. J Herb Pharmacother 2003;3(1):77-93.
View Abstract - Kumar RA, Sridevi K, Kumar NV, et al. Anticancer and immunostimulatory compounds from Andrographis paniculata. J Ethnopharmacol 2004;92(2-3):291-295.
View Abstract - Mandal SC, Dhara AK, Maiti BC. Studies on psychopharmacological activity of Andrographis paniculata extract. Phytother Res 2001;15(3):253-256.
View Abstract - Melchior J, Spasov AA., Ostrovskij OV, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase III study of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata Herba Nees extract fixed combination (Kan jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine 2000;7(5):341-350.
View Abstract - Panossian A, Davtyan T, Gukassyan N, et al. Effect of andrographolide and Kan Jang--fixed combination of extract SHA-10 and extract SHE-3--on proliferation of human lymphocytes, production of cytokines and immune activation markers in the whole blood cells culture. Phytomedicine 2002;9(7):598-605.
View Abstract - Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Prathanturarug S, et al. Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Pharm Ther 2004;29(1):37-45.
View Abstract - Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV, Chernikov MV, et al. Comparative controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination, Kan Jang and an Echinacea preparation as adjuvant, in the treatment of uncomplicated respiratory disease in children. Phytother Res 2004;18(1):47-53.
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