Andrographolide: A Herbal-Chemosynthetic Approach for Enhancing Immunity, Combating Viral Infections, and Its Implication on Human Health

Abstract

Plants consistently synthesize and accumulate medically valuable secondary metabolites which can be isolated and clinically tested under in vitro conditions. An advancement with such important phytochemical production has been recognized and utilized as herbal drugs. Bioactive andrographolide (AGL; C20H30O5) isolated from Andrographis paniculate (AP) (Kalmegh) is a diterpenoid lactones having multifunctional medicinal properties including anti-manic, anti-inflammatory, liver, and lung protective. AGL is known for its immunostimulant activity against a variety of microbial infections thereby, regulating classical and alternative macrophage activation, Ag-specific antibody production during immune disorder therapy. In vitro studies with AGL found it to be effective against multiple tumors, neuronal disorders, diabetes, pneumonia, fibrosis, and other diverse therapeutic misadventures. Generally, virus-based diseases like ZIKA, influenza A virus subtype (H1NI), Ebola (EBOV), Dengue (DENV), and coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics have greatly increased scientific interest and demands to develop more effective and economical immunomodulating drugs with minimal side effects. Trials and in vitro pharmacological studies with AGL and medicinally beneficial herbs might contribute to benefit the human population without using chemical-based synthetic drugs. In this review, we have discussed the possible role of AGL as a promising herbal-chemo remedy during human diseases, viral infections and as an immunity booster.

In silico network pharmacology study on Glycyrrhiza glabra: Analyzing the immune-boosting phytochemical properties of Siddha medicinal plant against COVID-19

“…Recently, many studies have been conducted worldwide on varieties of traditional medical techniques. Kalmegh ( Andrographis paniculata ), an ayurvedic herb, delivers immunoprotective potential against respiratory viral diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 ( Hiremath et al, 2021 , Mishra et al, 2021 , Wanaratna et al, 2021 ). This study investigated the herbal activity of respiratory infections using a network pharmacology approach ( Banerjee et al, 2021 ).…”

Andrographolide promote the growth and immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei, and protects shrimps against Vibrio alginolyticus by regulating inflammation and apoptosis via a ROS-JNK dependent pathway

“…In present study, the results demonstrated that Andr promote the growth and immunity of L. vannamei, and protects shrimp against V. alginolyticus by regulating inflammation and apoptosis via a ROS-JNK dependent pathway. Andr being used as a dietary supplement to improve immunity in patients has a long history (48,59,60). In recent years, Andr has also been used as feed additive in animal husbandry (61) and aquaculture (49,50).…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Lactones

“…Lactones are a group of compounds widely distributed in nature [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Chemically, they can be classified as intramolecular esters of hydroxycarboxylic acids with different ring sizes.…”