Andrographis News: 2006

How to use Andrographis paniculata

Q:- I'm interested in finding how to use Andrographis paniculata as I have just started growing some. What parts are used for what purpose and the methods used as well as dosages. For instance, is the fluid extracted by crushing the leaves and what amount of this would be used as a dose?

A:- Please have a look at pharmacology and some literature of A. paniculata. This will give you a clear picture of the medicinal properties associated with this wonderful herb.

Then, regarding the useful parts, all parts above ground can be used to prepare a decoction. For instance, take 2-3 leaves and boiled in one glass of water for 5-10 min. Add enough honey or sugar and drink. You can finish it off at once or consume in divided quantities. This would be an ideal choice during onset of cold.

Another way of consuming the herb is to put 2-3 leaves in wisky or barndy, and use it after a day or two. This sounds scientificallly more correct (similar to the methanolic extraction of andrographolide, see a study on this aspect).

Some useful links

Side effects of medicinal plants
Home page of Andrographis
Andrographis News
Ayurveda

Integrative Way: Avoiding colds and flu

Original article : http://www.sacbee.com/107/story/85391.html

Q: I get sick every holiday season. This year, I don't want to catch a cold and ruin my vacation. How can I prevent a cold from coming on? I already take echinacea and zinc.

A: We all know the basics for staying healthy during the cold and flu season:

• Maintain good hygiene.

• Wash hands frequently.

• Avoid contact with people who are ill.

• Manage your stress levels and optimize your sleep.

• Get a flu shot, especially if you are over 50 or if you have a medical condition that might affect your immune system, including heart/lung disease or diabetes.

Some alternative therapies that may offer benefits:

• Panax ginseng may improve the response you get from the flu vaccine; should you get the flu, the herb elderberry may reduce your symptoms.

• Echinacea has been shown to reduce the duration of cold symptoms; another herb, andrographis, as well as vitamin C and zinc lozenges or nasal spray, may do the same.

But here is some interesting information that you may not know:

Strengthening your social ties may help prevent the common cold. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1997 covered the effects of relationships on the common cold. Researchers exposed 276 healthy volunteers to the cold virus (rhinovirus). The volunteers were questioned about 12 types of relationships: parental, childhood, friends, groups, etc.

Those who scored only three out of 12 in their relationship questionnaire developed cold symptoms four times as frequently as those with strong social ties. Therefore, we suggest that you stay connected with those you love this holiday season, and mend relationships that need repair. The payoff may be worth it in terms of your physical health.

Protective activity of andrographolide

Protective activity of andrographolide and arabinogalactan proteins from Andrographis paniculata Nees. against ethanol-induced toxicity in mice

Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721 102, West Bengal, India; Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, IIT, Kharagpur 721 302, West Bengal, India.

To find out the active principles against ethanol-induced toxicity in mice, Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Ap) was chosen and isolated andrographolide (ANDRO) and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). ANDRO was detected by HPTLC, FTIR and quantified by HPLC (10mg/g of Ap powder). AGPs was detected by beta-glucosyl Yariv staining of SDS-PAGE gel, FTIR and quantified by single radial gel diffusion assay with beta-glucosyl Yariv reagent (0.5mg/g Ap powder). The mice are pretreated intra-peritoneally (i.p.) with different doses (62.5, 125, 250, and 500mg/kg) of body weight of mice] of ANDRO and AGPs for 7 days and then ethanol (7.5g/kg of body weight) was injected, i.p. Besides, silymarin was used as standard hepatoprotective agent for comparative study with ANDRO and AGPs. The ameliorative activity of ANDRO and AGP against hepatic renal alcohol toxicity was measured by assessing GOT, GPT, ACP, ALP and LP levels in liver and kidney. It has been observed that pretreatment of mice with ANDRO and AGPs at 500mg/kg of body weight and 125mg/kg of body weight respectively could able to minimize the toxicity in compare to ethanol treated group as revealed by the different enzymatic assay in liver and kidney tissues and the results were comparable with silymarin. Hence, out of several ill-defined compounds present in Ap, ANDRO and AGPs are the potential bioactive compounds responsible for protection against ethanol-induced toxicity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/
PMID: 17127022

Andrographis database

Research Papers

1. Tissue Culture

2. Pharmacology

3. Phytochemistry

4. Population Genetics

Intraspecific variation in active principle content and isozymes of Andrographis paniculata Nees (Kalmegh): a traditional hepatoprotective medicinal herb of India [ Full Text; pdf]
Floristic and Structure of the Herbaceous Vegetation of Four Recovering Forest Stands in the Eastern Ghats of India

5. Physiology

Heavy Metal and Nutrient Concentration in Soil and Plants Growing on a Metalliferous Chromite Minespoil

PubMed Search on Andrographis
As on 4 Nov 2006, there are 162 research papers - Download all abstracts (174 A4 pages): [ Text file, 340KB] [PDF file with links to full text, zipped: 1.3MB

Andrographis and Cancer

Andrographis paniculata protects the liver from toxic substances and has antitumor properties, with important implications for cancer treatment.

Andrographis paniculata plant extract is known to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. Andrographolide, the major constituent of the extract is implicated towards its pharmacological activity. We studied the cellular processes and targets modulated by andrographolide treatment in human cancer and immune cells. Andrographolide treatment inhibited the in vitro proliferation of different tumor cell lines, representing various types of cancers. The compound exerts direct anticancer activity on cancer cells by cell-cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through induction of cell-cycle inhibitory protein p27 and decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). Immunostimulatory activity of andrographolide is evidenced by increased proliferation of lymphocytes and production of interleukin-2. Andrographolide also enhanced the tumor necrosis factor-α production and CD marker expression, resulting in increased cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes against cancer cells, which may contribute for its indirect anticancer activity. The in vivo anticancer activity of the compound is further substantiated against B16F0 melanoma syngenic and HT-29 xenograft models. These results suggest that andrographolide is an interesting pharmacophore with anticancer and immunomodulatory activities and hence has the potential for being developed as a cancer therapeutic agent. Journal of Experimental Therapeutics and Oncology Volume 3 Page 147 - May 2003

Andrographolide 1, a diterpenoid lactone of the plant Andrographis paniculata, known to possess antitumour activity in in vitro and in vivo breast cancer models was subjected to semisynthesis leading to the preparation of a number of novel compounds. These compounds exhibited in vitro antitumour activity with moderate to excellent growth inhibition against MCF-7 (breast) and HCT-116 (colon) cancer cells. Compounds 3,19-(2-chlorobenzylidene)andrographolide(5), 3,19-(3-chlorobenzylidene)andrographolide(6), 3,19-(3-fluorobenzylidene) andrographolide(7), 3,19-(4-fluorobenzylidene)andrographolide(8), 3,19-(2-fluorobenzylidene)andrographolide(10), 3,19-(2-chloro-5-nitrobenzylidene)andrographolide (21), 3,19-(4-chlorobenzylidene)andrographolide(30) and 3,19-(2-chloro-4-fluorobenzylidene) andrographolide(31) were also screened against 60 NCI (National Cancer Institute, USA) human tumour cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2006 Apr;21(2):145-55. PMID: 16789428

Andrographolide (Andro), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from a traditional herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata, is known to possess potent anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, Andro induced apoptosis in human cancer cells via activation of caspase 8 in the extrinsic death receptor pathway and subsequently with the participation of mitochondria. Andro triggered a caspase 8-dependent Bid cleavage, followed by a series of sequential events including Bax conformational change and mitochondrial translocation, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and activation of caspase 9 and 3. Inhibition of caspase 8 blocked Bid cleavage and Bax conformational change. Consistently, knockdown of Bid protein using small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique suppressed Andro-induced Bax conformational change and apoptosis. In conclusion, the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members (Bid and Bax) are the key mediators in relaying the cell death signaling initiated by Andro from caspase 8 to mitochondria and then to downstream effector caspases, and eventually leading to apoptotic cell death. Biochem Pharmacol. 2006 Jul 14;72(2):132-44. Epub 2006 Apr 29. PMID: 16740251

The in vitro cytotoxicities of the ethanol extract of Andrographis paniculata (APE) and its main diterpenoid components were evaluated in various cancer cells. APE was found to be significantly growth inhibitory to human acute myeloid leukemic HL-60 cells with an IC (50) value of 14.01 microg/mL after 24 h of treatment. Among the three main diterpenoids in A. paniculata, andrographolide exhibited the highest degree of cytotoxicity followed by deoxyandrographolide while neoandrographolide was the least effective. Laser confocal microscopy and gel electrophoresis studies revealed chromosomal DNA fragmentations suggesting the occurrence of apoptosis. An increase of G (0)/G (1) phase cells from 51.88 % to 78.69 % was noted after andrographolide treatment for 36 h. The G (0)/G (1) phase arrest and apoptosis were associated with disappearance of mitochondrial cytochrome c and increased expression of Bax but decreased expression of Bcl-2 proteins in the inhibited cells. Although the order of all these events has not been determined, it is concluded that APE and andrographolide induce cell cycle arrest and affect an intrinsic mitochondria-dependent pathway of apoptosis by regulating the expression of some pro-apoptotic markers in HL-60 cells. Planta Med. 2005 Dec;71(12):1106-11. PMID: 16395645

Andrographis paniculata extract is traditionally used as a medicine to treat different diseases in India, China and Southeast Asia. In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer and immunomodulatory activity of the methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata in human cancer and immune cells. The methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata was fractionated into dichloromethane, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts and screened for bioactivity. Our results indicate that the dichloromethane fraction of the methanolic extract retains the active compounds contributing for both the anticancer and immunostimulatory activity. Dichloromethane fraction significantly inhibits the proliferation of HT-29 (colon cancer) cells and augments the proliferation human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) at low concentrations. On further fractionation of the dichloromethane extract we could isolate three diterpene compounds, i.e. [1] andrographolide, [2] 14-deoxyandrographolide and [3] 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide. Andrographolide showed anticancer activity on diverse cancer cells representing different types of human cancers. Whereas all the three molecules showed enhanced proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) induction in HPBLs. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jun;92(2-3):291-5 PMID: 15138014

Natural products may increase cytotoxic activity of Natural Killer Cells (NK) Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha) while decreasing DNA damage in patients with late-stage cancer. Pilot studies have suggested that a combination of Nutraceuticals can raise NK cell function and TNF-alpha alpha activity and result in improved clinical outcomes in patients with late stage cancer. The objective of the study is to determine if Nutraceuticals can significantly raise NK function and TNF levels in patients with late stage cancer. After informed consent was obtained, 20 patients with stage IV, end-stage cancer were evaluated (one bladder, five breast, two prostate, one neuroblastoma, two non-small cell lung, three colon, 1 mesothelioma, two lymphoma, one ovarian, one gastric, one osteosarcoma). Transfer Factor Plus (TFP+, 3 tablets 3 times per day), IMUPlus (non denatured milk whey protein, 40 gm/day); Intravenous (50 to 100 gm/day) and oral (1-2 gm/day) ascorbic acid; Agaricus Blazeii Murill teas (10 gm/day); Immune Modulator Mix (a combination of vitamin, minerals, antioxidants and immune-enhancing natural products); nitrogenated soy extract (high levels of genistein and dadzein) and Andrographis Paniculata (500 mg twice, daily) were used. Baseline NK function by standard 4 h 51Cr release assay and TNF alpha and receptor levels were measured by ELISA from resting and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated adherent and non-adherent Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC). Total mercaptans and glutathione in plasma were taken and compared to levels measured 6 months later. Complete blood counts and chemistry panels were routinely monitored. As of a mean of 6 months, 16/20 patients were still alive. The 16 survivors had significantly higher NK function than baseline (p < .01 for each) and TNF-alpha levels in all four cell populations studied (p < .01 for each). Total mercaptans (p < .01) and TNF-alpha receptor levels were significantly reduced (p < .01). It was also observed that hemoglobin, hematocrit and glutathione levels were significantly elevated. The only toxicity noted was occasional diarrhea and nausea. The quality of life improved for all survivors by SF-36 form evaluation. An aggressive combination of immunoactive Nutraceuticals was effective in significantly increasing NK function, other immune parameters and hemoglobin from PBMC or plasma in patients with late stage cancers. Nutraceutical combinations may be effective in late stage cancers. Clinical outcomes evaluations are ongoing. Immunol Invest. 2002 May;31(2):137-53 PMID: 12148949

Andrographis in Sweden

In Sweden, andrographis has been used for more than 10 years as a primary herb for the winter season. [Source]
Andrographis has become popular in Scandinavia for use during winter season for immune support. [Source]
Extracts from the leaves of andrographis (Andrographis paniculata [Burm. f.] Nees, Acanthaceae) are becoming more popular in the United States as an increasing amount of published research strongly supports the benefits of this traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic herb for treating symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, usually secondary to colds and flu. This trial attempts to study the safety of andrographis in a fixed combination extract (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute, Gothenburg, Sweden) on male fertility compared to 2 commonly used herbs: Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Araliaceae) and valerian root (Valeriana officinalis L., Valerianaceae). The study medications were well tolerated and the subjects reported no adverse events resulting from the study medications. No significant changes in the testicles of the subjects were observed. The study medications did not reduce male fertility parameters in any of the subjects in the study. The authors found no significant differences in male fertility parameters between the Kan Jang groups and the valerian and ginseng groups. The authors conclude that Kan Jang is safe with regards to male fertility parameters at doses of up to 3 times the recommended daily dose for 10 days. In addition, Asian ginseng and valerian show no negative effects on male fertility when administered at 3 times the recommended daily dose for a duration of 10 days. [HerbalGram. 2006;71:27 © American Botanical Council - Find]
Acute respiratory infections (commonly known as a cold or flu) are often treated by health practitioners with antibiotics, even though they may not be effective for such conditions, which are often based on a viral infection. The leaves of andrographis (Andrographis paniculata [Burm f.] Wall ex Nees, Acanthaceae) have been used in traditional Ayurvedic, Thai, and Chinese medicine to treat fever associated with infectious diseases. Pharmacological studies suggest anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (anti-fever), antiviral, and immunostimulatory properties for andrographis. A leading remedy containing principally a fixed combination with a special andrographis extract has become popular in Scandinavia as a cold and influenza remedy. The product, called Kan Jang® (also known by its code name, SHA-10, produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute, Goteborg, Sweden), contains 60mg andrographis leaf extract and 120mg eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus [Rupr. & Maxim.], Harms, Araliaceae) extract. Kan Jang has been extensively evaluated as to its safety and efficacy in pharmacological and clinical trials.... more at http://www.herbalgram.org/iherb/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2810. [HerbalGram - Find]
More will add to this blog as and when collect further literature - check out later. TQ

Vitamin C, Andrographis and Immunity

It has scientifically proved that Vitamin C helps to boost once's immunity.
It also validated using experiments that Andrographis paniculata has immunostimulation property.
BUT it will be a great idea if one could combine Vitamin C and Andrographis together to make a wonderful product

YES, it happened.

Read at http://healthnewsdigest.com/news/article_4868.shtml as follows:

Pump Up Your Immune System: The re-circulated air found inside of planes, trains and automobiles can be stale and unhealthful. To navigate through these environments unscathed, try taking new Nature’s Resource TriMune. TriMune contains scientifically-supported herbs (andrographis and Echinacea), vitamin C and zinc that help naturally boost immunity.

Geranylgerannylpyrophosphate synthase [Andrographis]

NCBI Protein Sequence search on Andrographis resulted in many results, out of which one is detailed below:

 


 


LOCUS       CAJ00343                 140 aa            linear   PLN 14-NOV-2006
DEFINITION  putative geranylgerannylpyrophosphate synthase [Andrographis
            paniculata].
ACCESSION   CAJ00343
 VERSION     CAJ00343.1  GI:67008259
DBSOURCE    embl accession AJ973134.1
KEYWORDS    .
SOURCE      Andrographis paniculata
  ORGANISM   Andrographis paniculata
            Eukaryota; Viridiplantae; Streptophyta; Embryophyta; Tracheophyta;
            Spermatophyta; Magnoliophyta; eudicotyledons; core eudicotyledons; 
            asterids; lamiids; Lamiales; Acanthaceae; Acanthoideae; Ruellieae;
            Andrographinae; Andrographis.
REFERENCE   1
  AUTHORS   Maison,T., Volkaert,H., Boonprakob,U. and Paisooksantivatana,Y. 
  TITLE     Genetic diversity of Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees as
            revealed by morphological and molecular markers
  JOURNAL   (misc) Kasetsart University Journal 39 (2005) In press
REFERENCE   2  (residues 1 to 140) 
  AUTHORS   Volkaert,H.A.
  TITLE     Direct Submission
  JOURNAL   Submitted (03-JUN-2005) Volkaert H.A., Kasetsart University -
            Kamphaengsaen Cam, Center for Agricultural Biotechnology,
            Kamphaengsaen, NakornPathom 73140, THAILAND 
FEATURES             Location/Qualifiers
     source          1..140
                     /organism="Andrographis paniculata"
                     /db_xref="taxon: 175694"
                     /tissue_type="leaf"
                     /country="Thailand"
      Protein         1..140
                     /product="putative geranylgerannylpyrophosphate synthase"
      Region          <1..>140
                     /region_name="Trans_IPPS_HT"
                     /note="Trans-Isoprenyl Diphosphate Synthases (Trans_IPPS),
                     head-to-tail (HT) (1'-4) condensation reactions; cd00685" 
                     /db_xref="CDD:58339"
      CDS             1..140
                     /gene="ggps"
                     /coded_by="AJ973134.1:<1..>421"
                     /note="locus 1"
                     /codon_start=2 
                     /db_xref="GOA:Q4VY92"
                     /db_xref="HSSP:Q83M58"
                     /db_xref="InterPro: IPR000092"
                     /db_xref="InterPro:IPR008949"
                     /db_xref="UniProtKB/TrEMBL: Q4VY92"
ORIGIN      
        1 lrrgrptnhk vfgedtavla gdallslafn hvaektknve hcrvvraiae lalaigsegl
       61 vagqivdlds egekislnel eyihvhktsm lleaaavcgg ilgggestev eslrkyarci 
      121 gllfqvvddi ldvtksseql
//

Stress management and andrographis

There are many ways to boost your immune system, including good nutrition and proper rest. There are a number of dietary and health supplements that can boost the immune system including Vitamin C, Andrographis paniculata and Beta Glucans.

Clinical studies have not been done concerning the improvement in immune system responses among people who use health supplements and are under chronic stress. Studies have shown that Andrographis increases white blood cell counts in person’s using the herb, which could counteract the lowered white blood cell counts in persons under chronic stress.

Source: http://stress-release-info.blogspot.com/2006/11/effect-of-stress-on-immune-system-faq.html

How to cut short a head cold

Q. We are just getting home after three weeks on the road with our RV. But yesterday I began to sniffle with a head cold and sore throat. It's been years since I've had a head cold. What should I take to shorten it?

A. If you act quickly, a popular herb might help cut a cold short. Andrographis paniculata has been tested in a few clinical trials and was shown to shorten a cold by several days.

See one report below:

Phytomedicine. 1999 Oct;6(4):217-23.

Use of visual analogue scale measurements (VAS) to asses the effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of common cold. A randomized double blind-placebo study.

Caceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, Sandberg F, Wikman GK.

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

The objective of our study was to measure the effectiveness of Andrographis paniculata SHA-10 extract in reducing the prevalence and intensity of symptoms and signs of common cold as compared with a placebo. A group of 158 adult patients of both sexes completed the randomized double blind study in Valdivia, Chile. The patients were divided in two equal size groups, one of which received Andrographis paniculata dried extract (1200 mg/day) and the other a placebo during a period of 5 days. Evaluations for efficacy were performed by the patient at day 0, 2, and 4 of the treatment; each completed a self-evaluation (VAS) sheet with the following parameters: headache, tiredness, earache, sleeplessness, sore throat, nasal secretion, phlegm, frequency and intensity of cough. In order to quantify the magnitude of the reduction in the prevalence and intensity of the signs and symptoms of common cold, the risk (Odds Ratio = OR) was calculated using a logistic regression model. At day 2 of treatment a significant decrease in the intensity of the symptoms of tiredness (OR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.07-1.53), sleeplessness (OR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.38-2.11), sore throat (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.69-3.14) and nasal secretion (OR = 2.51; 95% CI 1.82-3.46) was observed in the Andrographis SHA-10 group as compared with the placebo group. At day 4, a significant decrease in the intensity of all symptoms was observed for the Andrographis paniculata group. The higher OR values were for the following parameters: sore throat (OR = 3.59; 95% CI 2.04-5.35), nasal secretion (OR = 3.27; 95% CI 2.31-4.62) and earache (OR = 3.11; 95% CI 2.01-4.80) for Andrographis paniculata treatment over placebo, respectively. It is concluded that Andrographis paniculata had a high degree of effectiveness in reducing the prevalence and intensity of the symptoms in uncomplicated common cold beginning at day two of treatment. No adverse effects were observed or reported.

Publication Types:

PMID: 10589439 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

50 Books on Andrographis

1 Andrographis Paniculata: Can herbs fight common ailments, cancer, and chronic viral infections?

by Jean Barilla (1999) - Keats Pub

2 Andrographis paniculata: Key Facts for Therapeutic Use.(herbal medicine): An article from: Original Internist

by Stephen Behr (2001) - Original Internist, Inc.

3 Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: Andrographis

by Erika Lenz (2001) - Thomson Gale

A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections ... Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology

4 A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections ... Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology

by E.S. Gabrielian, A.K. Shukarian, G.I. Goukasova, G.L. Chandanian, A.G. Panossian, G. Wikman and H. Wagner (2002) - Urban & Fischer Verlag

5 Andrographis paniculata for respiratory infections. (Alternative Medicine).: An article from: Internal Medicine News

by Nancy Walsh (2003) - International Medical News Group

6 The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss

by Mary J. Shomon (2004) - Collins

page 113 : " ... or to treat various infections. Some herbal remedies are fig, andrographis root, garlic, wormseed, turmeric, and pumpkin seeds, among others. ... "