Andrographis paniculata – A potential medicine in preventing COVID-19
Many international research projects have evaluated the effects of the medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata in preventing COVID-19. Recently, the research results of the Thai Traditional Medicine Research Institute showed that within 3 days of using Andrographis paniculata, the condition of volunteers with COVID-19 all improved…
Andrographis paniculata: A medicinal herb with many uses but forgotten
Andrographis paniculata is a heat-clearing, detoxifying medicine commonly used in traditional medicine. This medicine was once considered a “miracle drug” during the subsidy period in our country. In the difficult economic context after liberation, the medical sector at that time, as well as other sectors, had to face a shortage of all kinds of things. At that time, Andrographis paniculata was used to treat many different diseases.
Over time, with the development of modern medicines, especially new-generation antibiotics, the name Andrographis paniculata was gradually forgotten. However, with the increasingly popular trend of using medicinal herbs, traditional Vietnamese medicines are regaining their value, in which Andrographis paniculata has been studied more in terms of chemical composition and pharmacological effects.
Andrographis paniculata [Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees], belonging to the Acanthaceae family, also known as public, heroic pen, original, lam khai lien, bitter leaf tree, dry dam thao, nhat kien ky… In nature, Andrographis paniculata originated from India and Sri Lanka, then was transplanted and widely grown in South Asia, Southeast Asia, southern China, the Caribbean, Central America, Australia and Africa.
Andrographis paniculata [Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees].
Andrographis paniculata has antimicrobial (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic), anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer effects… used to treat liver diseases, fever, acute diarrhea, hypertension, chickenpox, leprosy, malaria, infections, cancer, diabetes…
Research results on the anti-COVID-19 effects of Andrographis paniculata
In the in silico study (simulation, calculation of biological and pharmaceutical fields on computers) on some medicinal plants with potential for preventing and treating COVID-19, Andrographis paniculata is a medicinal herb that is of interest and highly appreciated.
In India, the research results of scientists from JSS College of Pharmacy (2020) showed that the chemical components of Andrographis paniculata (andrographolide and dihydroxy dimethoxy flavone) have anti-COVID-19 effects by inhibiting the main protease enzyme of this virus in in silico testing.
Andrographolide (diterpenoid lactone) – a compound extracted from Andrographis paniculata is a potential inhibitor of the main protease of COVID-19 (Mpro). The study showed that andrographolide has the effects of molecular docking, target analysis, toxicity prediction and pharmacokinetics. Andrographolide was successfully docked into the binding site of COVID-19 Mpro (with a binding score of -3.094357 [A1] kcal/mol). Computational methods also predicted that this molecule has good solubility, pharmacodynamic properties and target accuracy. This molecule also obeys the Lipinski rule, making it a promising compound with potential use against COVID-19.
Structure of andrographolide.
Research by scientists at Airlangga University (Indonesia) in 2020 showed that Andrographis paniculata has the potential to be the main protease inhibitor 6LU7 COVID-19. However, this finding needs further verification.
Immunity enhancement is a global strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrographis paniculata, which was previously widely used to treat sore throat, flu and respiratory infections, has been studied by scientists at Jadavpur University, India (2020) to target COVID-19 and its transmission routes. The results showed that the synergy between andrographolide and some other compounds of Andrographis paniculata was identified as a safe and effective anti-inflammatory agent, effective against upper respiratory tract infections, which can significantly reduce the production of cytokines and inflammatory factors in viral infections.
In China, in the process of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, a program has been implemented to recommend the use of Xiyanping injection for the clinical treatment of COVID-19. Xiyanping is an anti-inflammatory, antiviral preparation developed and licensed for use in China. It is a semi-synthetic injectable product derived from the active ingredients of Andrographis paniculata, including 9-dehydro-17-hydro-andrographolide and sodium 9-dehydro-17-hydro-andrographolide-19-yl sulfate. The article by the authors of Tasly Pharmaceutical Group Co. Tianjin, China (2020) summarized the pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Andrographis paniculata andrographolide, and confirmed its functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, and has obvious therapeutic effects on respiratory diseases including pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infections caused by bacteria and viruses based on a large amount of accumulated clinical data. Andrographolide has potential antiviral effects in the treatment of COVID-19 and can reduce inflammation in patients, improve respiratory symptoms, inhibit viruses and improve the body’s immunity… with high safety.
In addition, andrographolide also has a liver-protective effect and has clinical value in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and has a protective effect on liver and cardiovascular damage caused by some other anti-COVID-19 drugs. Through this, it can be seen that the treatment of COVID-19 with andrographolide is consistent with the theory of traditional medicine on the drug Andrographis paniculata.
In Thailand, the anti-COVID-19 effect of Andrographis paniculata has been further confirmed when the first clinical trial was conducted by the Thai Traditional Medicine Research Institute (2020) on patients who showed mild symptoms of COVID-19 infection such as sore throat, headache, cough or runny nose. Patients were given 180 mg of Andrographis paniculata per day, divided into 3 times at 6 am, 2 pm and 10 pm, continuously for 5 days. The trial showed positive results, within 3 days of using Andrographis paniculata, the health status of volunteers with COVID-19 all improved.
The above results show that Andrographis paniculata is a potential medicine in preventing COVID-19. In addition, many other medicinal herbs that have been evaluated as having good effects include Phyllanthus urinaria, Lonicera japonica, Artemisia vulgaris, Agastache rugosa, Turmeric, Ginger, Licorice, Ashwagandha, etc.
Andrographis paniculata was once considered a “panacea”, especially during the subsidy period, and was used quite commonly. Recent studies have further demonstrated the value of this medicine in treating diseases in general, and its potential in preventing COVID-19 in particular. However, the current production of this medicinal herb is still very low and is rarely prescribed or used in the composition of finished oriental medicines.
Andrographis paniculata is not difficult to grow and is very suitable for the climate and soil conditions in Vietnam. Therefore, there should be policies to encourage the cultivation, conservation, research and development of this medicinal herb. In addition, we need to pay more attention to the research and application of Andrographis paniculata in disease treatment.
https://suckhoedoisong.vn/xuyen-tam-lien-vi-thuoc-tiem-nang-trong-phong-chong-covid-19-n192687.html
(According to Health & Life Newspaper)
