king of bitters – proven medicinal benefits, uses

The scientific name of the king of bitters / sinta is Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees.

Scientific names Common names
Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees Aluy (Tag.)
Justicia paniculata Likha (Tag.)
Justicia latebrosa Russell ex Wall. Maha-tita (India)
  Chiretta (Engl.)
  Green chiretta (Engl.)
  Indian echinacea (Engl.)
  King of bitters (Engl.)
  Chuan xin lian (Chin.)
Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees is an accepted name The Plant List

 

Other vernacular names
CHINESE: Si fang lian.
GUJARATI: Kiriyata, Olikiriyat.
HINDI: Bhuinimb, Kalmegh, Kiryat, Mahatit.
JAPANESE: Andorogurafizu paniikuraata, Senshinren.
KANNADA Nelabevu gida.
MALAYALAM: Nilaveppu, Kiriyatta.
MARATHI: Olen Kirayat.
RUSSIAN: Andrografis.
SANSKRIT: Bhuinimb, Bhunimba, Kirata, Mahateet, Mahatikta.
TAMIL: Nilavempui.
TELUGU: Nela vemu.
THAI: Fa thalai chon.

King of bitters is an annual herb, erect, growing to a height of 30 to 100 centimeters. Stems are quadrangular. Leaves are simple, opposite, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, glabrous. Flowers are white, bilabiate, with rose-purple spots or markings in the lower lip in axillary or terminal racemes or panicles. Fruit is a capsule, linear-oblong, up to 2 centimeters long and 4 millimeters wide, furrowed, compressed longitudinally with small seeds.

Constituents

• Contains diterpene lactones, glycosides, b-sitosterol-d-glucoside, and flavanoids.

•The active constituent of the extract is andrographolide.

• Study of aerial parts isolated five labdane diterpenes, 14-deoxy-12-hydroxyandrographolide, 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide, 14-deoxyandrographolide, andrographolide, and neoandrographolide.

Medicinal properties of king of bitters

• Extremely bitter and cooling.

• Antidiarrheal, antipyretic, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial.

• Stomachic, febrifuge.

• Antityphoid, antifungal, antimalarial, antihepatotoxic.

• Anti-cancer.

• Tonic and immune-boosting.

Uses
Folkloric traditional medicine remedies, uses and benefits of king of bitters for  good health 

– Used for fever and liver ailments.

– Used for diarrhea.

– Abortifacient.

– Extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine. Is in 26 Ayurvedic formulations to treat liver disorders.

– Called “Indian echinacea” for its use in the prevention and treatment of the common cold.

– In Traditional Chinese Medicine, use for fevers and to remove toxins from the body.

– In Scandinavian countries, used to prevent and treat common colds.

– In China, India, Thailand and Malaysia, used for treatment of sore throat, flu, upper respiratory tract infections.

Science proven health benefits and uses of king of bitters

• In China, found effective in preventing blood clots and re-clogging of arteries post-angioplasty.

• Herb activates fibrinolysis (dissolution of blood clots) and has a blood pressure lowering effect.

• May inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells.

• Studied for its anti-viral activity in HIV and AIDS, found to increase AZT’s ability to inhibit HIV replication.

• Studied for E. coli associated diarrhea and dysentery.

Comparative Study in Uncomplicated Common Colds :

Study comparing Kan Jang, a fixed herbal combination with Andrographis paniculata with Immunal containing E purpurea found adjuvant treatment with Kan Jang more effective in parameters of nasal congestion and secretion.

Anti-Malarial :

Study of extracts of A paniculata and Hedyotis corymbosa, known hepatoprotective and fever-reducing was tested for antimalarial activity. Results suggested further studies for a potential herbal drug for malaria treatment.

Anti-Malarial / Combination with Curcumin:

CoMethanolic extracts of A paniculata and H corymbosa showed inhibition of the ring stage of the parasite without in vivo toxicity, whether used in isolation or in combination with curcumin.

Antioxidant / Anticarcinogenic:

Study showed antioxidant action of the aqueous extract of AP which may play a role in the anticarcinogenic activity by reducing oxidative stress. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), as tumor marker, showed decreased activity. Extract effect on more effective than anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX).

Anti-inflammatory:

(1) Study showed andrograpanin, one of its components, enhanced chemokine SDF-1 alpha- induced leukocytes chemotaxis.

(2) Study isolated active compounds showing anti-inflammatory activity, significantly dec4reasing TNF-a, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and nitric oxide secretions. Study provides encouraging results for bioactive compound development.

Diabetes:

Study of commercially prepared spray-dried ethanolic extract of AP on STZ-induced diabetic female rates showed increased survival rate and endocrine cell density, improved estrus cycle and reduced “insulin resistance” phenomenon.

Antivenom activity / Echis carinatus:

Study was done on the antivenom activity of A paniculata and Aristolochia indica plant extracts against Echis carinatus venom. Results showed both plant extracts could for used for therapy in patients with snakebite envenomation.

Antivenom activity:

Study for antivenom activity against Daboia russelli venom confirmed A paniculata and A indica to possess potent snake venom neutralizing capacity.

Anti-Hyperglycemic / Renal Protective:

Study showed significant antidiabetic activity with extract of AP roots supporting its traditional Ayurveda use for diabetes. Study also showed preventive effect for diabetic nephropathy.

Spermatogenesis and Semen Quality Study:

Study compared Kan Jang, a fixed combo of Andrographis paniculata extract (SHA-10) and Acanthopanax senticosus, with Valeriana officinalis and Panax ginseng for spermatogenesis and semen effect. Results showed all three to be safe with respect to effects on human male sterility.

Antinociceptive / Antiedematogenic:

Study isolated andrographolide from the leaves of A paniculata. Results showed andrographolide has antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities, probably modulated via nonopioid mechanisms.

Respiratory Tract Infection Therapy:

Review of data suggest that A paniculata is superior to placebo and may be a promising treatment for the subjective symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infection. With few reports of adverse events with short-term use, A paniculata presents as an herbal treatment option.

Anti-Fertility Effect:

Results of study of water extract of A paniculata suggest that due to lower level of hormone, female rats have promising percentage of infertility with AP.

Renoprotective Effect / protect kidney health:

Study of aqueous extract of whole plant of A paniculata exhibits a significant renoprotective effect in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats.

Anti-Dengue:

Study of evaluated the antiviral effects of six plants on dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1). Results showed the methanol extracts of A. paniculata and M. charantia possess the ability of inhibiting the activity of DENV-1 in in vitro studies.

Cardiovascular Effect / Coronary Vasodilation / good for heart health:

Study evaluated a dichlormethane DCM) extract of Andrographis paniculata for cardiovascular activity. Aerial parts yielded five labdane diterpenes. The extract significantly reduced coronary perfusion pressure and reduced heart rate.

Gastroprotective / Antiulcer / Cytoprotective:

Study of an aqueous and ethanol extract of A. paniculata showed significant anti-ulcer and cytoprotective properties and inhibited leukocyte infiltration of the gastric wall.

URTI and Sinusitis:

A double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study evaluated the effect of Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 fixed combination, Kan Jang, showed a positive effect in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections and also relieves the inflammatory symptoms of sinusitis. Also, the drug was well tolerated.

Andrographolide:

Andrographolide is a major bioactive constituent of the plant. The paper summarizes its various experimental and clinical pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, parasitic, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic effects.

CNS Effects / Anxiolytic and Seizure Suppressing Activities :

Study evaluated the therapeutic potential of A. paniculata for mental health problems. Various rat models were used for characterizing brain function modulating activities. Prolonged daily oral use of extract gradually suppresses central sensitivity to acute stressful stimuli, eventually down regulates central dopaminergic receptors. with benzodiazepine like anxiolytic and seizure suppressing activities.

Larvicidal / Repellent / Mosquitoes:

Study evaluated the effects of A. paniculata and A. lineata extracts against two mosquitoes Cule quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. Results showed that insecticidal activity of plant combinations was ecofriendly and has better larvicidal activity compared to individual extracts.

Terpenoid / Inhibitory Actiity against Biofouling Bacteria:

Phytochemical analysis isolated a terpenoid with inhibitory activity against biofouling bacteria, viz., Pseudomonas sp., alteromonas sp., Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Serratia sp. Of various solvents tested, a methanol extract showed the best activity.

Andrographolide / Anti-Inflammatory:

Andrographolide exhibits anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, either in vitro or in vivo experimental models of inflammation and cancer. Several immunomodulatory responses of andrographolide have been observed in in vitro studies, such as reduction of iNOS, COX-2, NO, PGE2, TNF-alpha and IL-12 in macrophages and microglia.

Immunostimulant / Cerebroprotctive / Nootropic / Leaves:

Study evaluated the effect of chronic administration of methanolic extract of A. paniculata leaves in rats with experimentally induced diabetes. Results showed significant immunostimulant, cerebroprotective, and nootropic activities in normal and type diabetic rats. Antioxidant activity was made evident by decreased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased SOD levels.

Hepatoprotective Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Toxicity / Leaves / protects liver:

Study of an aqueous leaf extract of A. paniculata showed significant hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic injury in rats.

Andrographolide / Anti-Inflammatory / Antioxidant:

The anti-inflammatory activity of A. paniculata is commonly attributed to andrographolide, its main secondary metabolite. Standardized extracts showed considerable physiochemical background variation. DPPH radical scavenging activity was attributed to flavonoid/phenylcarboxylic acid compounds in the extracts. The inhibitory effect of andrographolide on the release of TNF-α was little affected by variation of non-standardized constituents.

Antimalarial / Sambiloto / Chloroquine and Artemisinin:

Study evaluated the anti-malarial effect of sambiloto extract (A. paniculata), chloroquine and artemisinin-only as well as combinations on Plasmodium falcifarum strains. Results showed the extract of Sambiloto has an in-vitro anti-falciparum malaria effect. The antimalarial effect had been shown both in monotherapy and in combination.

Availability

• Wild crafted.

• Extracts, capsules and supplement in the markets.

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