Evidence supporting the use of: Andrographolide
For the health condition: Infection (viral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Andrographolide, a diterpenoid lactone isolated from the plant Andrographis paniculata, has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for treating infections, particularly those involving the respiratory tract. In recent decades, scientific studies have investigated its antiviral properties. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that andrographolide exhibits inhibitory activity against a range of viruses, including influenza A, hepatitis B and C, dengue virus, and even SARS-CoV-2. Proposed mechanisms include inhibition of viral entry, suppression of viral replication, and modulation of host immune responses.
Clinical evidence remains limited but is growing. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have found that Andrographis paniculata extracts can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms in upper respiratory tract infections, which are often viral in origin. However, most clinical studies use whole plant extracts rather than isolated andrographolide, and outcomes often measure symptom improvement rather than direct antiviral effects. A 2017 systematic review concluded that the herb is more effective than placebo for relieving acute respiratory infection symptoms, with a favorable safety profile.
Despite promising preclinical data and some supportive clinical trials, the overall quality of evidence is moderate (rated 3/5) due to heterogeneity in study designs and endpoints, and a need for more robust, well-controlled studies focusing on specific viral infections and isolating andrographolide as the active compound.
Other ingredients used for Infection (viral)
2'-FucosyllactoseAbies spectabilis
Acemannan
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agave
AHCC
Ajoene
Alchornea
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
alpha-pinene
Alstonia scholaris
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Artepillin C
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
babchi
Baccharis dracunculifolia
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Bauhinia
bee propolis
Belamcanda
berberine
beta-glucan
betel
betulinic acid
black cumin
Blepharis
boneset
Brazilian peppertree
burdock
calamus
Campsiandra angustifolia
carvacrol
cassia bark
casticin
cat's claw
Centipeda
Cistus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Coptis chinensis
coriolus mushroom
curcumin
cuspidatum root
Cymbidium goeringii
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dialyzable leukocyte extract
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
eucalyptus
European Elder
fernbush
Flueggea suffruticosa
fucoidan
galangin
Gallesia
geranium
ginger
Globulins
Glucan peptides
golden shower tree
goldenseal
Graviola
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Hypericin
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
iodine
Ivy
Java brucea
Kachnar
knotgrass
Labdanum
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lapachol
lauric acid
Lentinan
lichen
licorice root
liverwort
Lomatium
mangosteen
mangostin
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Monolaurin
Mountain horopito
Myrobalan
Naphthoquinones
oriental arborvitae
pau d'arco
Pelargonium
Phellodendron
phlorotannins
Phragmites
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
polysaccharides
Premna
Quebracho
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Rhabdosia rubescens
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sanguisorba
sarsaparilla
selenium
Shikimic Acid
Shikonin
Simaruba
Smoketree
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet wormwood
Swertia
Tannins
Terpinen-4-ol
Thiosulfinate
Thuja
Trametes
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Tylophorine
Verbascoside
Viscum coloratum
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by andrographolide
AcneAntibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Boils
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fever
Gastritis
Hepatitis
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
Malaria
Memory and Brain Function
Pain (general remedies for)
Pneumonia
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tuberculosis
Wounds and Sores
