King Of Bitters Research Articles

Is Andrographis paniculata extract and andrographolide anaphylactic?

Andrographis paniculata, "King of bitters" is a popularly known medicinal plant extensively used in many parts of the world for treatment of various diseases. Since recent past, anaphylactic/allergic type adverse events were reported upon A. paniculata usage, the study aimed to evaluate the anaphylactic and anaphylactoid potential of A. paniculata extract and andrographolide (a major phytoactive of A. paniculata). The anaphylactic potential was evaluated using active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) assay in guinea pigs. Further, the release of allergic mediators was measured in immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitized and non-IgE sensitized Rat Basophilic Leukemia (RBL-2H3) cell lines in-vitro. A. paniculata extract or andrographolide sensitized guinea pigs following the challenge antigen administration orally and intravenously did not demonstrate any clinical signs of anaphylaxis. IgE sensitized and non- IgE sensitized RBL-2H3 cells treated with A. paniculata extract did not induce release of allergic mediators. Whereas IgE sensitized and non- IgE sensitized RBL-2H3 cells treated with andrographolide demonstrated mild to moderate release of allergic mediators. A. paniculata extract has no anaphylactic and anaphylactoid potential in in-vivo and in-vitro studies. Whereas, andrographolide effects on allergic mediators in in-vitro studies needs to be scrutinized if they are of biologically important.

Study of arbitrarily amplified (RAPD and ISSR) and gene targeted (SCoT and CBDP) markers for genetic diversity and population structure in Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees

Andrographis paniculata is a medicinal herb also known as ‘King of Bitter’. This herb was studied using arbitrary amplified (RAPD and ISSR) and gene targeted (SCoT and CBDP) molecular markers. Thirty-nine accessions were collected from five agro-ecological regions of India. Eighteen RAPD and five ISSR primers generated a total of 124 and 32 amplicons with an average of 6.89 and 6.4 amplicons per primer respectively. Similarly, 22 SCoT and 19CBDP primers were used to characterize A. paniculata accessions. A total of 132 and 97 amplicons were generated, with an average of 6.0 and 5.11 amplicons per primer, respectively. Polymorphic information content (PIC) for RAPD and ISSR primers ranged from 0.32 to 0.45 and 0.25–0.42, with resolving power (Rp) ranging from 2.13 to 10.03 and 2.46–3.96, respectively. PIC values ranged from 0.09 to 0.48 and 0.30–0.46, with an average value of 0.34 and 0.41 per primer for SCoT and CBDP markers, respectively. The resolving power for SCoT and CBDP primers ranged from 2.36 to 10.54 and 1.39–13.15 per primer, respectively. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) based clustering grouped 39 accessions into three broad clusters based on all four marker systems studied, did not correlate with their agro-ecological regions. Population structure based analysis divided 39 accessions into seven populations, six populations and four populations using RAPD, ISSR and SCoT markers respectively. Whereas only three populations were observed using CBDP primers which corresponded to the grouping observed with the UPGMA. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based analysis showed that the maximum variation (10%) among agro-ecological regions was observed using CBDP primers; whereas, minimum variation (2%) was observed using SCoT markers. Taken together, our data suggest CBDP markers are better markers for genetic diversity study in A. paniculata.

Andrographia paniculata a Miracle Herbs for cancer treatment: In vivo and in vitro studies against Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity

BackgroundThe history of natural products used in ancient times and in folk medicine these days, around the world, is the basis for the use of many therapeutic drugs in modern day medicine. Andrographia paniculata belongs to the family Acanthaceae or Kalmegh and is commonly known as ‘king of bitters’. It is extensively used as home remedy for various diseases in Indian traditional system as well as in tribal system in India for multiple clinical applications. AimIn our present work, extracts of these ayurvedic plants were tested for their anticlastogenic, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties against Aflatoxin B1 induced toxicity. Materials and methodsWe used the in vitro method i.e. human lymphocytes culture and in vivo method in bone marrow cells of albino mice, while the parameters studied included chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and cell growth kinetics (RI) both in the presence as well as in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation system for in vitro studies, whereas total aberrant cells and the frequencies of aberrations were used for in vivo methods. ResultsA. paniculata extracts significantly reduced chromosomal aberrations from 35.0%, 62.0% and 69.0% level [at 24, 48, and 72h due to Aflatoxin B1] to 21.72%, 44.0% and 52.0%, similarly sister chromatid exchanges were reduced from 14.60 per cell to 7.50 per cell at 48h of treatments and replication index was enhanced in vitro for each concentration and duration of treatment. ConclusionIn conclusion A. paniculata extracts significantly reduced the number of aberrant cells and frequencies of aberration per cell at each concentration and duration of exposure in vivo; similarly it reduced chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges and replication index was enhanced in vitro that was statistically significant at <0.05 level.

Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology ofAndrographis paniculataand Its Major Bioactive Phytoconstituent Andrographolide

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F) Nees, generally known as “king of bitters,” is an herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae. In China, India, Thailand, and Malaysia, this plant has been widely used for treating sore throat, flu, and upper respiratory tract infections. Andrographolide, a major bioactive chemical constituent of the plant, has shown anticancer potential in various investigations. Andrographolide and its derivatives have anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models asthma, stroke, and arthritis. In recent years, pharmaceutical chemists have synthesized numerous andrographolide derivatives, which exhibit essential pharmacological activities such as those that are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-HIV, antifeedant, and antiviral. However, what is noteworthy about this paper is summarizing the effects of andrographolide against cardiovascular disease, platelet activation, infertility, and NF-κB activation. Therefore, this paper is intended to provide evidence reported in relevant literature on qualitative research to assist scientists in isolating and characterizing bioactive compounds.

Andrographolide and its analogues: versatile bioactive molecules for combating inflammation and cancer

1. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f) Nees, commonly known as 'king of bitters', is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Family Acanthaceae. It has been widely used for centuries in Asian countries like China, India, Thailand and Malaysia for the treatment of sore throat, flu and upper respiratory tract infections. 2. Andrographolide, 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and neoandrographolide are examples of the major labdane diterpenoids isolated from A.paniculata. These bioactive molecules have exhibited varying degrees of anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models of inflammation and cancer. 3. Extensive libraries of andrographolide analogues have been synthesised mainly by modifying the α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactone moiety, the two double bonds Δ(8,(17)) and Δ(12,(13)) and the three hydroxyls at C-3 (secondary), C-14 (allylic) and C-19 (primary). Many of these synthetic analogues exhibit superior anticancer activity over the naturally occurring andrographolides. 4. Andrographolide and its derivatives have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models of asthma, stroke and arthritis, as well as in patients with upper respiratory tract infections. Andrographolide reduces the production of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, nitric oxide and lipid mediators, probably via inhibition of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signalling pathway. 5. The anticancer mechanisms for andrographolide include inhibition of Janus tyrosine kinases-signal transducers and activators of transcription, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and NF-κB signalling pathways, suppression of heat shock protein 90, cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, metalloproteinases and growth factors, and the induction of tumour suppressor proteins p53 and p21, leading to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, survival, metastasis and angiogenesis. 6. Andrographolide drug discovery is a promising strategy for the development of a novel class of anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs.

In vitro modulation of LPS/calcimycin induced inflammatory and allergic mediators by pure compounds of Andrographis paniculata (King of bitters) extract

The aim of the current study is to probe the anti-inflammatory/anti-allergic potential of seven phytoconstituents (andrographolide, neoandrographolide, isoandrographolide, andrograpanin, 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide, 7-O-methylwogonin and skullcapflavone-I) isolated from Andrographis paniculata (King of bitters) on the production of key inflammatory/allergic mediators (NO, PGE 2, IL-1 beta, IL-6, LTB 4, TXB 2 and histamine). The results demonstrated that andrographolide, isoandrographolide, 7-O-methylwogonin and skullcapflavone-I significantly inhibited LPS stimulated NO and PGE 2 release in J774A.1 macrophages. Andrographolide, isoandrographolide and 7-O-methylwogonin showed considerable inhibition of IL-1 beta production in LPS elicited macrophages. LPS induced IL-6 production was significantly inhibited by andrographolide, isoandrographolide and skullcapflavone-I in a concentration dependent manner. The results revealed that andrographolide, isoandrographolide and skullcapflavone-I significantly decreased TXB 2 release in A23187 activated HL-60 promyelocytic cells. Furthermore, the anti-allergic properties of the phytoconstituents was investigated on A23187 induced LTB 4 production (HL-60 cells) and histamine release (RBL-2H3 basophilic cells). The results showed that only skullcapflavone-I and 7-O-methylwogonin showed marked inhibitory effect on LTB 4 production, however, only 7-O-methylwogonin exerted dose-dependent inhibition towards histamine release. Therefore, this study indicates that some of these phytoconstituents exhibit potent anti-inflammatory/anti-allergic effects by modulating different inflammatory/allergic mediators. Hence, these phytoconstituents might provide useful phytomedical treatment against variety of inflammatory and allergic disorders.