Andrographis Remedies

Andrographis paniculata is a shrub indigenous to India and other Asian countries. Historically, this plant has been used as a remedy for viral and bacterial infections. The active ingredient of this shrub, andrographolide, has proven effective in preventing the formation of tumors in prostate cancer, for treating bacterial and parasitic infections and as an insecticide. It's important to remember, however, to consult a health care professional before using herbal remedies.

Prostate Cancer

• An August 2010 article appearing in "Genes and Cancer" investigated the effects of andrographolide in combating the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The study found that andrographolide inhibited a chemical mediator called IL-6, which is necessary for tumor growth, at both the RNA and protein levels when cancer cells were exposed to a medium containing the compound. The results of the study showed that this substance can induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of the cancerous cells. The authors concluded that andrographolide can possibly be used to develop therapeutic agents in the fight against prostate cancer.

Bacterial Infections

• A study appearing in the March 2011 issue of "Biological Pharmacology Bulletin" documented the bactericidal effects of a Chinese herbal concoction called Xiang-Qi-Tang (XCT), which contains the herbs Andrographis paniculata, Rhizoma cyperi and Astragalus membranaceus, on chickens infected with the E. coli bacterium. To evaluate the effect of XCT, the chickens were inoculated 12 hours before being infected with E. coli. The results of the study demonstrated that 0.6 grams (g) of XCT per kilogram (kg) of body weight was sufficient to prolong the survival rate of the infected chickens. The authors found that XCT inhibited the inflammation associated with bacterial infections and increased the chickens' life expectancy.

Parasitic Infections

• The December 2010 edition of the "International Journal of Nanomedicine" investigated a new delivery system designed to treat immune cells infested with parasites that cause a skin disease called leishmaniasis, which is transmitted through the bite of sand flies. The authors found that andrographolide formulated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was a sufficient preparation for introduction into the microscopic cells and successfully eliminated the developing parasites. The study concluded that this nano-particle procedure could prove valuable as a therapeutic tool, akin to chemotherapy, to treat tropical diseases caused by the leishmanial parasite.

Insecticide

• A study appearing in the December 2010 issue of "Parasitological Research" documented the use of andrographolide as an insecticide. Researchers investigated the efficacy of andrographolide to combat mosquito infestations by interfering with the insects' larval and egg stages. They found that an extract produced with methanol was effective in preventing the hatching of the mosquito eggs and was equally effective in killing its larvae.