Andrographis Paniculata Extract Research Articles

Effect of Andrographis paniculata and Phyllanthus amarus leaf extracts on selected biochemical indices in Drosophila melanogaster model of neurotoxicity

Aluminum (Al)-induced toxicity in fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is one of the established models for studying neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases. Alkaloid phytochemicals have been reported to exhibit neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the effect of alkaloid extracts of Andrographis paniculata and Phyllanthus amarus leaves on Al-induced toxicity in wild type Drosophila melanogaster. The flies were exposed to diets containing 40 mM AlCl3, and the alkaloid extracts (0.1 and 1 mg/ml). Thereafter, the flies were assessed for learning and memory, as well as locomotor performance 14 days post-treatment. This was followed by homogenizing the flies and the homogenates were assayed for acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase and catalase activities, as well as the malondialdehyde content. The results showed that the alkaloid extracts of both leaves could ameliorate the aluminum-induced behavioral and biochemical impairments in the flies. The HPLC analysis of the alkaloid contents revealed that there is an abundance of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, caffeine and carpaine. Thus, alkaloid extracts from these leaves could serve as promising therapeutic candidates for the management of neurodegenerative disease.

Formulation and characterization of ginger oil loaded polyherbal emulgels having extracts of Nardostachys jatamansi, Andrographis paniculata and Celaestrus paniculatus

Formulation and characterization of ginger oil loaded polyherbal emulgels having extracts of <i>Nardostachys jatamansi, Andrographis paniculata</i> and <i>Celaestrus paniculatus</i>

Andrographis paniculata Improves Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice and TNFα-Treated 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines interfere with blood glucose homeostasis, which leads to hyperglycemia. Andrographis paniculata (AP) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetes. The two major bioactive diterpenoids in AP, andrographolide (AND) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (deAND), have potent anti-inflammatory activity. We studied whether APE (an ethanolic extract of AP), AND, and deAND could improve a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperglycemia in vivo and TNF[Formula: see text]-induced impairment of insulin signaling in vitro. Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or the HFD, and the fatty mice were treated with APE, deAND, or AND for 16 weeks. 3T3-L1 cells were used to study the underlying mechanisms by which APE, deAND, or AND attenuated TNF[Formula: see text]-induced insulin resistance. The HFD significantly induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation, whereas APE and deAND significantly ameliorated HFD-induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and TNF[Formula: see text] production. The HFD significantly impaired insulin signaling by decreasing the protein expression of p-IRS1 tyr632 and p-AKT ser473, as well as the membrane translocation of GLUT4 in response to insulin stimulation in epididymal adipose tissue. HFD-impaired the membrane translocation of GLUT4 was significantly reversed by deAND and APE. In addition, deAND and APE markedly reversed the detrimental effect of TNF[Formula: see text] on the insulin signaling pathway and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. Despite no significant positive effect on p-AS160, a trend for recovery by deAND and APE was observed. These results suggest that deAND and APE protect against HFD-induced insulin resistance by ameliorating inflammation-driven impairment of insulin sensitivity.

Improvement of Oxazolone-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats Using Andrographolide.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is usually accompanied with symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool, which impair the quality of life of patients. Previous studies have shown that Andrographis paniculata extracts, which have andrographolide (AND) as their main compound, can relieve UC symptoms in patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the alleviating effect of AND on UC using the oxazolone (OXZ)-induced UC rat model. A total of 66 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were used to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of AND on UC (n = 11 per group) and grouped into control, model, SASP (sulfasalazine, positive control group, 500 mg/kg), AND-L (40 mg/kg), AND-M (80 mg/kg), and AND-H (120 mg/kg). The colonic disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen coefficient, pathological damage, and inflammation-related cytokine and protein expression levels were used as indices for evaluation. Results showed that the AND groups had reduced DAI and mortality, and significantly improved colon length and spleen coefficient compared with the model group. Furthermore, OXZ-induced histological injury was relieved significantly after AND treatment due to an improved crypt structure and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells. Moreover, AND inhibited myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the secretion of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The results of the anti-inflammatory mechanism revealed that AND blocked the signal transduction by reducing IL-4/IL-13 specific binding to IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) and inhibiting the phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (p-STAT6). In conclusion, aside from natural plants, AND may be a candidate ingredient for UC therapy.

Quantitative Determination of Andrographolide and Related Compounds in Andrographis paniculata Extracts and Biological Evaluation of Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Extraction, isolation and characterization of Andrographis paniculata (A.p.) products were developed. Three natural diterpenes compounds were obtained and one was used for chemical modifications. Evaluation of their inhibition of TNFα induced NFκB transcriptional activity. A rapid analytical method for the determination and quantitation of three diterpenoid lactones (andrographolide 1, didehydroandrographolide 2, neoandrographiside 3) found in A. paniculata extracts was investigated. After some optimizations on column type and injection solvent, the separation was achieved in 9 min on a monolithic Chromolith Performance RP18e column (100 mm × 4.6 mm ID, 2 µm), with a gradient solvent system of water and methanol, UV detection at 220 nm and ELSD detection. The method was proved to be suitable for the quantitation of these three diterpenes in four different commercial Andrographis dietary supplements. The anti-inflammatory activities of a mixture of known composition have been evaluated showing differences in activity depending on the relative ratio of various diterpenes and also a possible synergic activity for some of them.

Herbal medicinal products for inflammatory bowel disease: A focus on those assessed in double-blind randomised controlled trials.

Inflammatory bowel disease patients frequently use herbal products as complementary or alternative medicines to current pharmacotherapies and obtain information on them mainly from the internet, social media, or unlicensed practitioners. Clinicians should therefore take a more active role and become knowledgeable of the mechanisms of action and potential drug interactions of herbal medicines for which evidence of efficacy is available. The therapeutic efficacy and safety of several herbal medicines have been studied in double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Evidence of efficacy is available for Andrographis paniculata extract; curcumin; a combination of myrrh, extract of chamomile flower, and coffee charcoal; and the Chinese herbal medicines Fufangkushen colon-coated capsule and Xilei san in patients with ulcerative colitis; and Artemisia absinthium extract and Boswellia serrata resin extract in patients with Crohn's disease. However, most of this evidence comes from single small RCTs with short follow-up, and the long-term effects and safety of their use have not yet been established. Thus, our findings indicate that further appropriately sized RCTs are necessary prior to the recommended use of these herbal medicines in therapy. In the meantime, increasing awareness of their use, and potential drug interactions among physicians may help to reduce unwanted effects and adverse disease outcomes.

Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata supplements induce a non-specific immune system against the pathogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Indian major carp (Labeo rohita).

Aeromonas hydrophila, an opportunistic fish pathogen, which causes several major diseases including skin ulcer and haemorrhagic septicemia, contributes considerably to the lethality in aquaculture. Chemical and antibiotic treatment employed against A. hydrophila for disease management are expensive and consequently prompted the advent of drug resistance among the pathogens. To overcome these draw backs, alternative aquatic disease control methods using conventional plant-based medicines are focussed. Our present study aimed to augment the fish non-specific immune system with the implementation of methanolic crude extracts of Andrographis paniculata to Labeo rohita, for evaluating their efficacy against A. hydrophila. Histology of major organs of A. hydrophila-infected fish such as the gills and liver displayed severe tissue damage. A. paniculata extracts exhibited the strong antibacterial activity against A. hydrophila even at lower concentrations (50μl). The extracts also altered the haematological profile of treated infected fishes by increasing the levels of haemoglobin and total erythrocyte-leucocyte counts, along with the phagocytic index. The extracts also had a significant impact on modifying the anatomy and swimming pattern of infected fish, post treatment with the extracts. Also, A. paniculata treated infected fishes in all the plant extract administration methods, viz. injection, oral feeding and diffusion, and reduced the cumulative mortality rate to less than 30%. Even lower concentrations of A. paniculata extracts (50μl) resulted in maximum relative percentage survival of treated fishes. Therefore, our findings suggest that A. paniculata was effective against A. hydrophila infection in aquaculture, thereby maintaining a healthy status of these fishes in aquaculture.

Hypolipidemic effect of ethanol extract from Mesona chinensis Benth. in high fat diet-induced obesity mice

Hypolipidemic effect of ethanol extract from Mesona chinensis Benth. in high fat diet-induced obesity mice

Andrographis Paniculata Ameliorates Insulin Resistance in High Fat Diet-fed Mice and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes (P21-074-19)

ObjectivesPrevious studies have shown that Andrographis paniculata (AP) possesses antiinflammatory activity and is able to reduce blood glucose level in diabetes. The results suggested that AP reduced blood glucose level via activation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) membrane translocation; however, the mechanism in adipocytes remained unclear. Proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to play a role in blood glucose dysregulation, which leads to hyperglycemia in vivo. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of bioactive compounds of AP on GLUT4 membrane translocation in 3T3-L1 cells and hyperglycemia in high fat diet-fed mice. MethodsThe ethanolic extract of AP (APE) was prepared and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (deAND) was purified from APE. The purity of deAND was identified by LC/MS, which showed the purity for deAND was 98%. The 6-weeks old C57BL/6JNarl mice were fed normal fat diet (ND, 12.1% kcal from fat), high fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal from fat), HFD plus 0.1% AND, 0.05% deAND, or 0.4% APE for 16 weeks. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 10 ng/mL TNFα in the presence or absence of 20 μM AND, 20 μM deAND, or 100 μg/mL APE for 24 hours. The blood glucose and insulin levels were determined by commercial assay kits and the protein expression was assayed by Western blotting. ResultsHFD significantly induced hyperglycemia as compared with ND. Treatment with deAND and APE significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR as compared with HFD. TNFα, a proinflammatory cytokine, significantly inhibited glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells because impairment of IRS1-AKT-AS160 signaling pathway and GLUT4 membrane translocation. In contrast, treatment with AND, deAND, and APE attenuated the lower glucose uptake induced by TNFα. The protective effects of deAND and APE were associated with improvement of IRS1-AKT-AS160 signaling pathway, which resulted in more GLUT4 membrane translocation. ConclusionsHFD induced hyperglycemia and elevated blood TNFα level in vivo. TNFα dysregulated insulin signaling pathway in vitro. Treatment with deAND and APE reversed defects in IRS1-AKT-AS160-GLUT4 signaling pathway induced by TNFα in 3T3-L1 cells, which accounted for the anti-diabetic effect of AP. Funding SourcesThis study was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan.

New perspective of drug discovery from herbal medicinal plants: Andrographis paniculata and Bacopa monnieri (terpenoids) and novel target identification against Staphylococcus aureus

Drug discovery process includes screening of potential compounds to propose as drug and identification of potential targets to be inhibited in order to combat disease prognosis. A combined approach of phytochemistry and bioinformatics is used to deal with drug discovery against antimicrobial resistance by identifying potential targets and candidate drugs. The work includes evaluation of antimicrobial activity of terpenoid-based plant extracts against antibiotic resistant microorganisms. The study was conducted to explain possible new perspective of drug discovery. Phytocompounds from herbal medicinal plants Bacopa monnieri and Andrographis paniculata were employed. Phytochemical tests were performed for both the plants to screen the presence of phytocompounds. Antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts of two medicinal plants (Bacopa monnieri and Andrographis paniculata) were screened. Best reported zone of inhibition observed with Andrographis paniculata was 1.5 cm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 1.0 cm in Bacillus subtilis. The least inhibition was shown by Bacopa monnieri, i.e. 0.7 cm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 0.6 cm in Bacillus subtilis. In silico analysis of phytochemicals is studied against multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus using computer-aided drug discovery. Identification of target proteins was performed using database mining. Subsequently, molecular docking was done to depict the interaction of chosen terpenoid (Bacoside, Bacopa saponin, andrographin and β-sitosterol) against the identified target proteins (PDB entry 2X4K & 2IHY) of MRSA. Andrographin and bacoside has more specificity towards the target protein identified for Staphylococcus aureus. This justifies them as potential compound with antimicrobial property. This study concludes the antimicrobial property of medicinal extracts of Bacopa monnieri and Andrographis paniculata against methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus and establishes the interaction of current phytochemicals involved in antimicrobial activity through an in-silico approach to reduce the cost incurred in experimental efforts.

The Potency of Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Andrographis Paniculata Extract (S-AgNp) as an Antibacterial Agent

This study reported the potency of ‘biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles using Andrographis paniculata extract’ (S-AgNp) as an antibacterial agent and its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The antibacterial test was conducted to pathogenic bacteria of S. aureus and E. coli by using a diffusion-well method. The media used were Nutrient Agar (NA) and Nutrient Broth (NB). The tests were carried out in two steps. The first step was determining the potency of S-AgNp as an antibacterial agent. This step used S-AgNp with the concentration of 100%, Andrographis paniculata extract and AgNO3 solution as a positive control, and distilled water as negative control. It was found that S-AgNp were able to inhibit the growth of both bacteria. The second step was finding out the MIC of S-AgNp to both bacteria. In this step, the concentration of S-AgNp tested from 70% to 10% and amoxicillin of 5% was used as the positive control. It was found that the antibacterial activity on both bacteria increased as increasing the concentration of S-AgNp tested. The growth inhibition of S. aureus was greater than that of E. coli (p < 0.05). The MIC value of both bacteria was 0.0005 g/mL. Based on this result, it is concluded that S-AgNp has a potency to be used as an antibacterial agent, especially for S. aureus.

Role of polymers as crystal growth inhibitors in coprecipitation via solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (SEDS) to improve andrographolide dissolution from standardized Andrographis paniculata extract

The poor aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of andrographolide in aqueous gastrointestinal fluids often cause low oral bioavailability. In this work, Andrographis paniculata extract containing 16% andrographolide was coprecipitated with Pluronic F127, Eudragit EPO, and Eudragit L100-55 via solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (SEDS) to improve andrographolide dissolution in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.4). The SEDS working parameters were set constant as follows: 150 bar, 40 °C, CO2 flow rate 15 L/min (1 bar, 25 °C), liquid feed flow rate 0.5 mL/min, and 25 mg/mL of A. paniculata extract. SEDS coprecipitates formulated with lower Eudragit L100-55:A. paniculata mass ratios exhibited improved andrographolide dissolution in SIF (pH 7.4), while SEDS coprecipitates formulated with either Pluronic F127:A. paniculata or Eudragit EPO:A. paniculata at any mass ratio exhibited poorer andrographolide dissolution (<0.03 mg/mL released in 90 min) than SEDS-precipitated A. paniculata extract powder (0.06 mg/mL released in 90 min). In particular, SEDS coprecipitates formulated with a Eudragit L100-55:A. paniculata mass ratio of 6:25 were found to have the highest andrographolide release and dissolution rate in SIF (pH 7.4) (0.09 mg/mL released in 30 min). SEDS coprecipitation was successful, as indicated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis.

Design and Synthesis of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles from Andragraphis paniculata as Potential Anticancer Agents

Present investigation aimed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles using methanol leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata and screen those for anticancer activity. The synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed through color transformation and surface plasmon resonance. Size and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray. Stability of silver nanoparticles was detected using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. Reddish-brown appearance and ultraviolet absorption at 468 nm confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the silver nanoparticles were spherical with a size ranging from 18-70 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectra of silver nanoparticles showed peaks corresponding to the functional groups C=O, -C=C, C-H, which indicated that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were stable. Anticancer activity of Andrographis paniculata methanol leaf extract silver nanoparticles was tested against neuroblastoma cells and normal Vero cells using the MTT assay. Andrographis paniculata methanol leaf extract and its nanoparticles showed anticancer activity against neuroblastoma cells with IC50 value of 32 and 60 µg/ml, respectively. The nanoparticles and leaf extract were not cytotoxic to Vero cell lines (CC50 value of 329.29 and 368 µg/ml). The silver nanoparticles of methanol extract of Andrographis paniculata leaves could be a potential anticancer agent against neuroblastoma cells.

Quantifying phytophenols in Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera leaf extracts

Andrographis paniculata (Nilavembu) and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) are some of the commonly available herbs, used for treating a wide range of ailments in man and animals. Both the plants possesses a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects attributed to their various active phytochemical constituents. The present study was undertaken to assess the qualitative phytochemistry and to estimate the total phenolic content of leaf extracts of the two plants by Spectrophotometry and Thin Layer Chromatography. The results thus obtained suggest that the leaves of Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera are potential sources of healthy phytochemicals especially phenols.

Improving the Vase Life of Cut Mokara Red Orchid Flower Using Leaf Extracts with Silver Nanoparticles

The major causes of vase life reduction in cut flowers are the microbial proliferation in vase solution and consequently vascular occlusion preventing water uptakes. In order to control microbial proliferation efficiently, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are used as an enhancer to assess leaf extracts of Psidium guajava and Andrographis paniculata to alleviate xylem blockage in cut Mokara Red orchid flowers. The basal stem of each flower was re-cut and then pulsed with 0, 5 and 10 mg/L Ag-NPs for 24 h. The floral preservative solutions are comprised of control (125 mg/L 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate, 8-HQC) and double combination leaf extracts (DCLE) of P. guajava and A. paniculata, each at 15 mg/L. The preservative solutions of DCLE with 5 mg/L Ag-NPs had higher rates of solution uptake and trace amounts of bacterial suspension, which were responsible for increasing the vase life of cut Mokara Red Orchid flowers for 15.49 ± 0.15 days, compared to the 8-HQC control treatment 8.73 ± 0.16 days. Therefore, leaf extracts of P. guajava and A. paniculata have the potential as a biocide to minimize microbial populations and prolong the vase life of cut flowers. However, the potential activities of specific antimicrobial compounds to extend the vase life need to be tested.

In vitro large scale production of megakaryocytes to functional platelets from human hematopoietic stem cells

Megakaryocytopoiesis results in the formation of platelets, which are essential for hemostasis. Decreased production or increased destruction of platelets can cause thrombocytopenia, in which platelet transfusion is the mode of treatment. The present study is aimed in generation of megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelet from human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The purity of HSCs was assessed through Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry (ICC) studies. These pure HSCs were induced with thrombopoietin (TPO), similarly with Andrographis paniculata extract (APE) for 21 days to generate MKs. The APE is mainly composed of andrographolide which stimulates TPO from the liver, and this binds to CD110 present on the surface of HSCs and triggers the proliferation of HSCs and initiate higher MKs population subsequently, a large number of platelets. The results of the present study showed increased proliferation of HSCs grown in the presence of APE and revealed a high population of CD41a and CD42b positive MKs as enumerated by Flow cytometry compared with TPO induced MKs. These results also concurred with qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the morphology of differentiated MKs and platelets were similar to human blood platelets. The differentiated MKs in APE exhibited polyploidy up to 32 N while TPO induced MKs showed polyploidy of 8 N, these results corroborated with colony forming unit assay. On thrombin stimulation, high expression of P-selectin (CD62p) and fibrinogen binding were detected in APE induced platelets. Autologous transplantation of platelets generated from APE may be a useful option in thrombocytopenia condition.

Evaluation of Herb-Drug Interaction of Synacinn™ and Individual Biomarker through Cytochrome 450 Inhibition Assay.

SynacinnTM contains five standardized herbal extracts of Orthosiphon Stamineus (OS), Syzygium polyanthum (SZ), Curcuma xantorrizza (CX), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ) and Andrographis paniculata (AP) and is standardized against phytochemical markers of rosmarinic acid, gallic acid, curcumin, catechin and andrographolide respectively. This herbal medicine has been used as health supplement for diabetes. SynacinnTM is recommended to be consumed as supplement to the diabetic drugs. However, herb-drug interaction of SynacinnTM polyherbal with present drugs is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effect of SynacinnTM and its individual biomarkers on drug metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 (Midazolam), CYP3A4 (Testosteron)), to assess its herb-drug interaction potential through cytochrome P450 inhibition assay. This study was conducted using liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) using probe substrates using human liver microsomes against CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 (Midazolam) and CYP3A4 (Testosteron). Result showed that SynacinnTM at maximum concentration (5000 µg/ml) 100% inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 (Midazolam) and CYP3A4 (Testosteron). IC50 values determined were 0.23, 0.60, 0.47, 0.78, 1.23, 0.99, 1.01, and 0.91 mg/ml for CYP 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4 (midazolam) and 3A4 (testosterone), respectively. Meanwhile, all individual biomarkers showed no, less or moderate inhibitory effect towards all the tested CYP450 except for curcumin that showed inhibition of CYP2C8 (91%), CYP2C9 (81%) and CYP2C19 (72%) at 10µM. Curcumin was found to be an active constituent that might contribute to the inhibition of SynacinnTM against CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. It can be suggested that SynacinnTM can be consumed separately from a drug known to be metabolized by all tested CYP450 enzymes.

Solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (SEDS): An approach in particle engineering to modify aqueous solubility of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata extract

The objective of study is to improve aqueous solubility of andrographolide through particle engineering using Solution Enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical Fluids (SEDS) approach. The precipitation pattern of sticky crude Andrographis paniculata extract from CO2-acetone system and CO2-acetone:ethanol (v/v) 1:1 system as well as the aqueous solubility of andrographolide precipitated were first studied at different pressure (100, 150bar) and temperature (40, 50°C) combination (full factorial design). The modification of aqueous solubility of andrographolide was then attempted by manipulating its precipitation process from CO2-solvent systems consisting of single solvent and solvent mixture at different proportions (v/v) at the appropriate pressure-temperature combination. A. paniculata powder precipitated from CO2-acetone system at 150bar, 40°C was found to be large, irregularly shaped, less crystalline with the highest andrographolide aqueous solubility (twofold increment compared to crude extract) and recovery compared to those precipitated from CO2-ethanol system and other CO2-solvent mixture systems. Complete dissolution of andrographolide from A. paniculata powder precipitated from CO2-acetone system had been achieved within 90min. For SEDS precipitation under solvent mixture system, with increment of proportion of ethanol from 25% to 75%, larger particles and change of powder morphology from stripes into plates were resulted. Based on the higher aqueous solubility and dissolution of andrographolide, recovery as well as a different morphology observed from the less crystalline A. paniculata powder precipitated from CO2-acetone system, less impurities could have co-precipitated with andrographolide.

Evaluation of the anti-asthmatic and antitussive effects of concurrently administered extracts of &lt;i&gt;Bryophyllum pinnatum&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Andrographis paniculata&lt;/i&gt; in rodents

We evaluated the anti-asthmatic and antitussive effects of concurrently administered doses of aqueous Bryophyllum pinnatum (BP) and methanol Andrographis paniculata (AP) extracts in rodents. Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of BP were variously administered concurrently with 4 or 8 mg/kg of AP. In the anti-asthmatic evaluation, ovalbuminsensitized guinea pigs were given oral doses of both extracts for seven days and then exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol in a glass chamber. Latency to preconvulsive dyspnea (PCD), tracheal fluid volume and viscosity were measured. In guinea pigs given acute doses of the extract, bouts of cough were counted after exposure to 7.5% citric acid aerosol. Phenol red expectoration was estimated in mice after 7 days of treatment with the extracts. Doses of BP administered alone significant increased latency to PCD (P < 0.05); and reduced the number of cough bouts (P < 0.0001). The concurrent administration of 400 mg/kg BP with the doses of AP significantly increased latency to PCD compared to 400 mg/kg BP alone. Doses of AP significantly altered the antitussive effect of BP but significantly reversed the reduction of phenol red release by 400 mg/kg BP. We conclude that while concurrent administration of 400 mg/kg BP with doses of AP may be beneficial in asthma, this is not the case in cough. This has implication on the label indications following possible co formulation of the extracts. Keywords: Concurrent extract administration, Asthma, cough, expectoration

Andrographolide affects Th1/Th2/Th17 responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from ulcerative colitis patients.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory bowel disease of the colon. T cell responses have been associated with the pathology of UC. Andrographispaniculata (AP) extract has been previously reported as an effective treatment of UC. The present study aimed to explore the effects of andrographolide, the primary active component of AP, on the T cell responses of patients with UC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients with UC and treated with various concentrations of andrographolide (0, 10, 20 and 30µg/ml). Andrographolide decreased interferon γ, interleukin (IL)‑23 and IL‑17A, however it increased IL‑4 in a dose‑dependent manner, as indicated by ELISA assay. Andrographolide treatment resulted in a decreased percentage of T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells and an increased proportion of Th2 cells, as demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis. T‑bet (a Th1‑specific transcription factor) and RAR‑related orphan receptor γt (key transcription factor of Th17 cells) expression was decreased, but GATA‑3 (Th2 lineage‑specific transcription factor) expression was increased following andrographolide treatment as indicated by western blot analysis. These results demonstrated the inhibitory effects on Th1/Th17 responses and the promoting effects on Th2 responses of andrographolide. Experiments on IL‑23‑treated PBMCs from healthy donors revealed similar effects of andrographolide on Th1/Th2/Th17 responses. In summary, these results suggest that andrographolide may be an effective candidate for the treatment of IL‑23‑mediated diseases.