Andrographis: Virus Fighter

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Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) has been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times in India, spread throughout Asia, and is now a favorite herb worldwide for many reasons, including its incredible immune-strengthening actions.

In fact, andrographis is probably best known in the West for its ability to fight viral and bacterial infections. The herb’s application for this has never been more important than it is now.

Previous clinical research has shown that andrographis reduces the severity and duration of colds and upper respiratory tract infections, and scientific study has found that it stops the growth of dangerous bacteria.

This review discusses the botanical’s enhancement of our own virus fighters, including T-cells and natural killer cells to inhibit viral replication and its effects on the body.

If you are thinking about bolstering your immune defenses, look for andrographis that delivers a strong dose of andrographolides, key compounds that are credited with the herb’s best effects.

Abstract:

Gupta S, Mishra KP, Ganju L. Broad-spectrum antiviral properties of andrographolide. Arch Virol. 2017 Mar;162(3):611-623. doi: 10.1007/s00705-016-3166-3. Epub 2016 Nov 28. PMID: 27896563.

Andrographolide, a diterpenoid, is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. It can be isolated from various plants of the genus Andrographis, commonly known as 'creat'. This purified compound has been tested for its anti-inflammatory effects in various stressful conditions, such as ischemia, pyrogenesis, arthritis, hepatic or neural toxicity, carcinoma, and oxidative stress, apart from its anti-inflammatory effects, andrographolide also exhibits immunomodulatory effects by effectively enhancing cytotoxic T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, phagocytosis, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). All these properties of andrographolide form the foundation for the use of this miraculous compound to restrain virus replication and virus-induced pathogenesis. The present article covers antiviral properties of andrographolide in variety of viral infections, with the hope of developing of a new highly potent antiviral drug with multiple effects.