Andrographis paniculata is a shrub found throughout India and other Asian countries. Andrographis has become popular in Scandinavia for use during winter season for immune support. Andrographis paniculata is also a popular herb in Chiinese medicine.

What's in andrographis herb?
Some of the compounds in andrographis are diterpene lactones known as andrographolides.  Andrographis contains andrographolide, deoxyandrographolide and neoandrographolide.

Andrographis paniculata supplement Planetary Herbals
Andrographis paniculata is an herb commonly used in China, India and other countries in subtropical and Southeast Asia. Both the fresh and dried leaves, as well as the fresh juice of the whole plant, have been used in a variety of cultures. In traditional Chinese herbalism, Andrographis is used to support healthy digestive, cardiovascular and urinary systems. In Sweden, Andrographis has been used for more than 10 years as a primary herb for the winter season for immune support.

Supplement Facts
Andrographis Standardized 300 mg* Extract (10% andrographolides)
Andrographis Herb 100 mg * (Andrographis paniculata)
* Andrographis paniculata daily value not established.

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Potential benefit of andrographis paniculata supplements
There has been a great deal of research done with andrographis paniculata. Here's a summary of some of the benefits:

For colds and flu
Long known in traditional Asian medicine as an immune system booster, Andrographis paniculata has demonstrated significant activity in fighting common cold, flu, and upper respiratory infections. Two randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group clinical trials were performed to investigate the effect of a standardized extract (SHA-10) of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination (Kan jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infections. In both studies, throat symptoms were found to show the most significant improvement.

Anti-inflammatory
Andrographis paniculata contains many flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Andrographolide, an active component of andrographis paniculata, inhibits inflammatory responses by rat neutrophils.

Anti-tumor
Andrographis paniculata has anti-carcinogenicity properties.

Diabetes
The ethanolic extract of andrographis  possesses antidiabetic property. Its antidiabetic effect may be attributed at least in part to increased glucose metabolism.

Familial Mediterranean Fever and Andrographis Paniculata
Androgrphis, in combination with other herbs, may be helpful (see the study below).

Andrographis paniculata, Herpes Simplex, and HIV
Andrographolide may inhibit HIV-induced cell cycle dysregulation, leading to a rise in CD4(+) lymphocyte levels in HIV-1 infected individuals. Andrographis paniculata inhibits herpes simplex I activity in vitro.

Immune system
Most flavonoids have anti-microbial activity and have a positive effect on the immune system. Andrographis has demonstrated significant activity in fighting common cold, flu, and upper respiratory infections.

Mind
Andrographis extract exhibited a significant alteration in behavior pattern and a reduction in spontaneous motility in animals. The extract also produced a prolongation of the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and lowered the body temperature in different experimental animal models.

Anti-oxidant and liver protection
Andrographis paniculata treatment prevents BHC induced increase in the activities of enzymes y-Glutamyl transpeptidase, glutathione-S-transferase and lipid peroxidation. The activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and the levels of glutathione were decreased following BHC effect. Administration of andrographis showed protective effects in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase as well the level of glutathione. The activity of lipid peroxidase was also decreased. The result indicate antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of andrographis.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Apr 29. Burgos RA, Hancke JL, Bertoglio JC, Aguirre V, Arriagada S, Calvo M, Cáceres DD. Institute of Pharmacology and Morphophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, P.O. Box 567, Valdivia, Chile.
Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall ex Nees (Acanthaceae) possesses anti-inflammatory effects, attributed to the main constituent andrographolide proposed as alternative in the treatment of autoimmune disease. A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was performed. Tablets (Paractin) made of an extract of A. paniculata (30% total andrographolides) were administered three times a day for 14 weeks, after a 2-week washout period to 60 patients with active RA. The intensity of joint pain decreased in the active vs placebo group at the end of treatment, although these differences were not statistically significant. A significant diminishing in tender joint, number of swollen joints, total grade of swollen joint, number of tender joints, total grade of swollen joints was observed within the group with the active drug. Moreover, it was associated to a reduction of rheumatoid factor, IgA, and C4. These findings suggest that A. paniculata could be a useful "natural complement" in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; however, a larger trial and a more extended period of treatment is necessary in order to corroborate these results.

Andrographis Paniculata summary
Andrographis paniculata has been evaluated in the laboratory and has shown potential in a number of conditions, however, since human research is lacking, the potential andrographis health benefits and androgrpahis side effects are, at this time, not fully known. If you do plan to take an andrographis supplement, take at least 2 days off a week and one week off a month. It is also not clear how andrographis herb would interact with other herbs that influence the immune system such as Astragalus root herb, echinacea herb, Goldenseal herb, and others.

Andrographis side effects, safety, risks
Thus far no major andrographis side effects have been reported in the medical literature.

A phase I clinical study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang versus ginseng and valerian on the semen quality of healthy male subjects.
Phytomedicine. 2005 June . Mkrtchyan A, Panosyan V, Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. Republican Medical Scientific Centre of Dermatology and Diseases Disseminated by Sexual Contacts, Yerevan, Armenia.
The safety of different doses of Kan Jang--a fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata special extract (SHA-10) and Acanthopanax senticosus--compared to two extensively used medicinal plants, Valeriana officinalis and Panax ginseng in the form of standardized extracts, has been examined. A phase I clinical study was designed to evaluate the effect on semen quality of healthy males in terms of spermatogenesis and quality of semen. The results of the study revealed no significant negative effect of Kan Jang on male semen quality and fertility, but rather a positive trend with respect to the number of spermatozoids in the whole ejaculate, the percentage of active (normokinetic) forms of spermatozoids, and fertility indexes, together with a decrease in the percentage of inactive (diskinetic) forms of spermatozoids. In the group receiving ginseng, no significant negative effects on the fertility parameters were revealed and there was a clear decrease in the percentage of diskinetic forms of spermatozoids. Subjects receiving valerian showed a temporary increase in the percentage of normokinetic spermatozoids and a decrease in diskinetic forms, but these changes had no effect on fertility indices. The results indicate that Andrographis paniculata special extract (SHA-10) and Acanthopanax senticosus, ginseng and valerian are safe with respect to effects on human male sterility when administered at dose levels corresponding to approximately 3 times the human daily dose.

Andrographis paniculata Research Update
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the plant Andrographis paniculata Nees.
Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2006;28(1):129-40. Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
In this study, we explored the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata using in vitro as well as in vivo systems. Methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata was found to inhibit formation of oxygen derived free radicals such as superoxide (32%) hydroxyl radicals (80%) lipid peroxidation (80%) and nitric oxide (42%) in in vitro system. In vivo studies using BALB/c mice models also showed significant inhibition in PMA induced superoxide (32%) and nitric oxide (65%) formation. Interestingly we also found that, administration of Andrographis paniculata extract produced complete inhibition of carageenan induced inflammation compared with control models.

Andrographolide isolated from Andrographis paniculata induces cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in human leukemic HL-60 cells.
Planta Med. 2005 Dec;71(12):1106-11. Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
The in vitro cytotoxicities of the ethanol extract of Andrographis paniculata extract and its main diterpenoid components were evaluated in various cancer cells. Andrographis paniculata extract was found to be significantly growth inhibitory to human acute myeloid leukemic HL-60 cells. It is concluded that Andrographis extractand 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.

Flavonoids and andrographolides from Andrographis paniculata.
Phytochemistry. 2004 Aug;65(16):2317-21.
Two flavonoids, identified as 5,7, tetramethoxyflavanone and 5-hydroxy-7, trimethoxyflavone, as well as several other flavonoids, andrographolide diterpenoids, and polyphenols, were obtained from the phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Andrographis paniculata, a well known medicinal plant.

Anti-malarial activity of some xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec;95(2-3):247-51.
Four xanthones were isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata. In vitro study revealed that compound 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone possessed substantial anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum

Anticancer and immunostimulatory compounds from Andrographis paniculata.
Discovery Research, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Miyapur, Hyderabad 500050, India.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jun;92(2-3):291-5.
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 at low concentrations. On further fractionation of the dichloromethane extract we could isolate three diterpene compounds. Andrographolide showed anticancer activity on diverse cancer cells representing different types of human cancers.

Andrographis paniculata in the Treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review of Safety and Efficacy.
Coon JT, Ernst E. Planta Med. 2004;70:293-8.
Acute respiratory infections represent a significant cause of over-prescription of antibiotics and are one of the major reasons for absence from work. The leaves of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall ex Nees (Acanthaceae) are used as a medicinal herb in the treatment of infectious diseases. Systematic literature searches were conducted in six computerised databases and the reference lists of all papers located were checked for further relevant publications. Information was also requested from manufacturers, the spontaneous reporting schemes of the World Health Organisation and national drug safety bodies. No language restrictions were imposed. Seven double-blind, controlled trials (n = 896) met the inclusion criteria for evaluation of efficacy. All trials scored at least three, out of a maximum of five, for methodological quality on the Jadad scale. Collectively, the data suggest that Andrographis is superior to placebo in alleviating the subjective symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. There is also preliminary evidence of a preventative effect. Adverse events reported following administration of Andrographis  were generally mild and infrequent. There were few spontaneous reports of adverse events. Andrographis  may be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection; more research is warranted.

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 May;10(4):271-85.
Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled pilot study of ImmunoGuard--a standardized fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Schizandra chinensis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra special extracts standardized for the content of Andrographolide (4 mg/tablet), Eleuteroside E, Schisandrins and Glycyrrhizin, was carried out in two parallel groups of patients. Both the clinical and laboratory results of the present phase II (pilot) clinical study suggest that ImmunoGuard with andrographis s a safe and efficacious herbal drug for the management of patients with FMF. 

Antimicrobial activity of Andrographis paniculata.
Fitoterapia. 2003 Dec;74(7-8):692-4.
The antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract, andrographolides and arabinogalactan proteins from Andrographis paniculata were evaluated. The aqueous extract showed significant antimicrobial activity, which may be due to the combined effect of the isolated arabinogalactan proteins and andrographolides.

Andrographis paniculata supplement questions
Q. I've got a question on what was written on your site about andrographis paniculata. At one point it is written, "In Sweden, Andrographis paniculata has been used for more than 10 years as a primary herb for the winter season" In another place it is written, "One tablet twice daily for no more than 14 days at a time." I was researching this herb just a bit before using it. I was thinking of adding it to my daily routine for the winter based on what I'd read about it, but then I saw where you site said take no more than 14 days. But, I never saw where or why this limitation. Can you provide the source material for this directive, for the limitation for 14 days of use? I was just wondering why this limit.
   A. I prefer immune stimulating herbs, such as andrographis paniculata, not to be used all the time without breaks, and that is my personal opinion, another doctor may have a different viewpoint. There is a risk of overstimulating the immune system with certain herbs, perhaps in rare cases leading to or aggravating autoimmune conditions. Hence, the cautious approach of taking breaks. When I mentioned andrographis paniculata is used in the winter season, this does not mean it is used every day of the winter season.

Q. I have seen claims on other websites that andrographis paniculata is useful for cancer, HIV, herpes, and other conditions. Is this true?
   A. Until several studies are done in humans that show andrographis paniculata to be effective as an oral supplement in these conditions, these claims are premature. However, there is some laboratory evidence that compounds in andrographis plant have potential benefits in vitro, but it is too early to say whether taking an andrographis supplement will have such an effect in humans. Plus, we have no idea of the appropriate dosage and length of time of use.

Q.  I am interested in the herb andrographis . I have had Graves disease, had radiation tablet which destroyed my thyroid 12 years ago. I think andrographis can be beneficial to me, and would appreciate more information regarding this.  
   A. We have not seen any studies evaluating the role of andrographis in the treatment of post radiation thyroid problems.

Q. I read a study about andrographis, showing some cellular damage to rat's testicles. I was told by an herbalist, that the herb does inhibit sperm prodution , temporarily. I was using the herb for Lyme disease. Why doesn't some one do a complete study on this herb? What do you think about the dangers of the herb?
   A. Research funding for herbal supplements such as andrographis is limited. The effect of an herb or medication in rodents may not be similar in humans particularly since the dosages given in rodents during a study is often many times higher than what humans would ingest. One andrographis human study listed above does not show harm to sperm production.