Andrographis paniculata (N.O. Acanthaceae) is an annual shrub that grows wild in the plains of Asia and in cultivated gardens of North India. This plant has been used as a household remedy in Asia for many centuries. In recent years, clinical trials have validated the use of Andrographis as a successful treatment for the common cold.
The pharmacological effects of the plant are attributed to the presence of the primary active principles, androgarpholide (structure depected below), and its derivatives deoxyandrographolide, neoandrographolide and 14-deoxy-11,12 didehydroandrographolide.
Andrographis paniculata has been used for more than 12 years in Nordic countries for reducing symptoms and the duration of the common cold.
A double blind placebo controlled study performed in Sweden involved the treatment of 50 patients with a herbal preparation containing 85 mg of Andrographis paniculata extract three times daily for five days. As compared to the placebo treated group, patients treated with the herbal preparation had reduced cold symptoms. These patients also reported a greater relief from cold symptoms and took less sick leave from work.
The Andrographis paniculata extract recently introduced to Sabinsa Corporation's extensive product line is standardized to contain a minimum of 10% andrographolides. Samples and specification sheets for this product will be available in early December.
Reference
- Melchior, J. et al. (1997). Phytomedicine. 3(4) 315-8
