Is Andrographis paniculata extract and andrographolide anaphylactic?

In Silico Insights on the Pro-Inflammatory Potential of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and the Prospective Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Andrographis paniculata Phytocompounds

Inflammation linked to various diseases is the biological response to certain stimuli. The pro-inflammatory potential of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) as potential inducers of inflammation bound to the Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) and the anti-inflammatory capacity of A. paniculata (AP) phytocompounds as prospective inhibitors of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) p50 transcription factor are investigated via in silico techniques. The molecular docking of the PAHs and AP phytocompounds is performed in AutoDock Vina by calculating their binding energies. The molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) of the apo and ligand-bound complex of the top binding ligands were performed in CABS-flex. The agonists, which included the PAHs indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IP), and dibenz(a,h)anthracene (DahA), had the highest binding energies of −10 kcal/mol and −9.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The most stable antagonists in the binding site with binding energies to the NF-κB p50 were the AP phytocompounds with −5.6 kcal/mol for ergosterol peroxide and −5.3 kcal/mol for 14-deoxy-14,15-dehydroandrographolide. The MDS of the apo human TLR4 and PAH-bound TLR4, and the apo p50 and the AP phytocompound-bound NF-κB p50 showed minimal fluctuations. These results reveal that IP and DahA are significant inducers of inflammation, whereas ergosterol peroxide and 14-deoxy-14,15-dehydroandrographolide are inhibitors of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, the study theorizes that any inflammatory activity induced by PAH can be potentially inhibited by A. paniculata phytocompounds.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex Nees, Andrographolide, and Andrographolide Analogues as SARS-CoV-2 Antivirals? A Rapid Review

Drug repurposing is commonly employed in the search for potential therapeutic agents. Andrographis paniculata, a medicinal plant commonly used for symptomatic relief of the common cold, and its phytoconstituent andrographolide, have been repeatedly identified as potential antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. In light of new evidence emerging since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this rapid review was conducted to identify and evaluate the current SARS-CoV-2 antiviral evidence for A. paniculata, andrographolide, and andrographolide analogs. A systematic search and screen strategy of electronic databases and gray literature was undertaken to identify relevant primary articles. One target-based in vitro study reported the 3CLpro inhibitory activity of andrographolide as being no better than disulfiram. Another Vero cell-based study reported potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity for both andrographolide and A. paniculata extract. Eleven in silico studies predicted the binding of andrographolide and its analogs to several key antiviral targets of SARS-CoV-2 including the spike protein-ACE-2 receptor complex, spike protein, ACE-2 receptor, RdRp, 3CLpro, PLpro, and N-protein RNA-binding domain. In conclusion, in silico and in vitro studies collectively suggest multi-pathway targeting SARS-CoV-2 antiviral properties of andrographolide and its analogs, but in vivo data are needed to support these predictions.

Development of Nanoemulsion-based Hydrogel Containing Andrographolide: Physical Properties and Stability Evaluation

Introduction:

Andrographolide is a compound that shows various pharmacological activities, which can be applied topically or orally. Nanoemulsion can improve drug solubility and stability, but has limitations for topical application. Incorporation of nanoemulsion into hydrogel can increase the viscosity of the system which can prolong the drug residence time. The aim of this study was to develop andrographolide nanoemulsion-based hydrogel for topical application.

Method:

Andrographolide nanoemulsion was prepared using Capryol 90 as the oil, Kolliphor RH 40 as the surfactant, and propylene glycol as the cosurfactant. Droplet size and polydispersity index of the nanoemulsions were evaluated using particle size analyzer. D-optimal mixture design was employed to generate the total number of runs (formulation), and obtain the optimum formulation. Fourteen formulations of nanoemulsion-based hydrogel were prepared by incorporating nanoemulsion into the hydrogel base (1:1). Carbopol was employed as the gelling agent, whereas other excipients including propylene glycol, oleic acid, triethanolamine, methylparaben, and propylparaben were also added to produce hydrogel base. Nanoemulsion-based hydrogel was evaluated for its pH, viscosity, and physical appearance (after 8 weeks of storage).

Results:

The result revealed that nanoemulsion-based hydrogel containing 34.65% of carbopol, 1.35% of triethanolamine, and 9% of propylene glycol was selected as an optimum formulation which shows acceptable pH, viscosity, and physical appearance. This optimum nanoemulsion-based hydrogel has pH of 6.50 ± 0.02, and 2492.33 ± 36.91 cP of viscosity with milky white color, and smooth homogeneous texture.

Conclusion:

This study suggested that andrographolide can be successfully formulated into an acceptable nanoemulsion-based hydrogel.

Efficacy of andrographolide in not active progressive multiple sclerosis: a prospective exploratory double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune mediated disease and the progressive phase appears to have significant neurodegenerative mechanisms. The classification of the course of progressive MS (PMS) has been re-organized into categories of active vs. not active inflammatory disease and the presence vs. absence of gradual disease progression. Clinical trial experience to date in PMS with anti-inflammatory medications has shown limited effect. Andrographolide is a new class of anti-inflammatory agent, that has been proposed as a potential drug for autoimmune disorders, including MS. In the present trial, we perform an exploratory pilot study on the efficacy and safety of andrographolide (AP) compared to placebo in not active PMS.

METHODS

A pilot clinical trial using 140 mg oral AP or placebo twice daily for 24 months in patients with not active primary or secondary progressive MS was conducted. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean percentage brain volume change (mPBVC). Secondary efficacy endpoints included 3-month confirmed disability progression (3-CDP) and mean EDSS change.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were randomized: 23 were assigned to the AP group, and 21 were assigned to the placebo group. The median baseline EDSS of both groups was 6.0. Annualized mPBVC was - 0.679% for the AP group and - 1.069% for the placebo group (mean difference: -0.39; 95% CI [- 0.836-0.055], p = 0.08, relative reduction: 36.5%). In the AP group, 30% had 3-CDP compared to 41% in the placebo group (HR: 0.596; 95% CI [0.200-1.777], p = 0.06). The mean EDSS change was - 0.025 in the AP group and + 0.352 in the placebo group (mean difference: 0.63, p = 0.042). Adverse events related to AP were mild rash and dysgeusia.

CONCLUSIONS

AP was well tolerated and showed a potential effect in reducing brain atrophy and disability progression, that need to be further evaluated in a larger clinical trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02273635 retrospectively registered on October 24th, 2014.

Acute oral toxicity evaluation of Andrographis paniculata-standardized first true leaf ethanolic extract

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Standardized A. paniculata extract contains high 14-deoxyandrographolide.

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The LD50 of standardized A. paniculata extract is more than 5000 mg/kg body weight.

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Standardized A. paniculata extract shows no acute adverse effects.

Andrographis paniculata is widely used in traditional herbal medicines for the treatment of common cold, fever and diarrhea, in many regions of Scandinavia and Asia, including Thailand. The pharmacological activities of A. paniculata are mainly attributed to active diterpenoids including 14-deoxyandrographolide, which is uniquely high in first true leaf ethanolic extract (FTLEE) of A. paniculata. In this study, the acute toxicity of the standardized FTLEE of A. paniculata was examined according to the OECD test guideline No. 420. Mice were divided into four groups of each sex and orally received the standardized FTLEE of A. paniculata (0, 300, 2000, or 5000 mg/kg BW). Post-treatment, body weight, signs of toxicity, and/or mortality were observed for 14 days. At Day 15, animals were euthanized, internal organs were observed grossly, and blood samples collected were subjected to hematology and clinical biochemistry analyses. The results showed that all treated animals survived and no apparent adverse effects were observed during the duration of the study. Gross necropsy observation revealed no lesion in any organ of all the standardized FTLEE-treated mice. Although significant alterations in BUN, lymphocytes, neutrophils, hematocrit and hemoglobin were observed, these alterations were not treatment-related toxic effects. Therefore, we concluded that a single oral administration of the standardized FTLEE of A. paniculata with an upper fixed dose of 5000 mg/kg BW has no significant acute toxicological effects.