Andrographis is an herbaceous plant native to Sri Lanka and India. Traditional Indian medicine, known as ayurveda, uses the leaves and roots of andrographis to treat a variety of ailments. Scientific studies have evaluated some of the traditional uses of andrographis. Consult your doctor before using andrographis to treat a medical condition.
Liver Protection
Andrographis offers liver-protective benefits, according to a study published in the September 2007 issue of the journal "Integrative Cancer Therapies." In the study, andrographolide extract of Andrographis was analyzed for its anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory animals and found to increase activity levels of key enzymes, including glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase, that the liver uses in its detoxification processes. The researchers concluded that andrographolide was effective at activating these enzymes even under conditions of liver damage, implying a significant potential liver-protective effect, in this preliminary animal study.
Anti-Inflammatory
Andrographolide, an extract of Andrographis, showed anti-inflammatory properties that inhibited interleukin-6, an important pro-inflammatory molecule thought to be responsible for initiating prostate cancer, according to a study published in the August 2010 issue of the journal "Genes and Cancer." The researchers note that higher levels of andrographolide exhibit stronger inhibitory effects and that it acts by inducing apoptosis, programmed cell death, in both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent prostate cancer cells. The researchers concluded that Andrographis shows potential as a prostate cancer treatment.
Tumor Inhibition
A study published in the 2010 issue of the "Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention" reported that Andrographis extract was effective at inhibiting metastatic tumor growth in laboratory animals. In the study, Andrographis extract caused cell death of metastatic tumors six days earlier than in another group in which the immune system responded to tumors without the addition of the supplement. Andropraphus also increased antibody response and was more effective than andrographolide alone at increasing immune activity. The researchers also observed anti-inflammatory activity of Andrographis.
Safety
Traditional medicine uses Andrographisas as a cold and flu remedy, according to a study published in the August 2009 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology." The study on laboratory animals found Andrographis to be safe and nontoxic. Standardized extracts containing concentrations of Andrographis ranging from 5 micrograms/mL to 5,000 micrograms/mL were tested for both short- and long-term use using two forms of testing to determine potential genetic damage from Andrographis. All concentrations were safe and did not produce genetic damage in the study.
References
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Evaluation of the Genotoxic Potential and Acute Oral Toxicity of Standardized Extract of Andrographis Paniculata (KalmCold); Chandrasekaran CV; et al.; August 2009
- "Genes in Cancer"; Andrographolide, an Herbal Medicine, Inhibits Interleukin-Six Expression and Suppresses Prostate Cancer Cell Growth; Chun JY; et al.; August 2010
- "Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention"; Andrographis Paniculata Downregulates Proinflammatory Cytokine Production and Augments Cell Mediated Immune Response in Metastatic Tumor Bearing Mice; Sheeja K; et al.; 2010
- "Integrative Cancer Therapies"; Hepatoprotective Effect of Andrographolide against Hexachlorocyclohexane Induced Oxidative Injury; Trivedi NP; et al.; September 2007
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