Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Kalmegh

Andrographis paniculata

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Andrographolide is lipophilic but has limited aqueous solubility (50 μg/mL). Enhancement strategies: (1) Solid dispersion with PVP or HPMC improves dissolution 4-6x; (2) Self-nanoemulsifying formulations (SNEDDS) enhance bioavailability 3-4x; (3) Phospholipid complexation (phytosome); (4) Cyclodextrin inclusion complexes; (5) Nanoparticle formulations.

Key facts
Botanical nameAndrographis paniculata
FamilyAcanthaceae · other entries in this family
OrderLamiales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3173178 · Wikidata Q1551608 · NCBI Taxonomy 175694

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKalmegh

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), Swarasa (fresh juice), Standardized extract, Syrup

Standard Dosage: 1-3g powder twice daily; 400-600mg standardized extract twice daily; 10-20ml fresh juice; 30-60ml decoction

Bioavailability: Andrographis paniculata contains andrographolide (primary bioactive diterpene lactone) with moderate oral bioavailability (~2.67% in rats, higher in humans ~21%). Andrographolide is lipophilic but has limited aqueous solubility (50 μg/mL). Enhancement strategies: (1) Solid dispersion with PVP or HPMC improves dissolution 4-6x; (2) Self-nanoemulsifying formulations (SNEDDS) enhance bioavailability 3-4x; (3) Phospholipid complexation (phytosome); (4) Cyclodextrin inclusion complexes; (5) Nanoparticle formulations. Andrographolide undergoes hepatic metabolism via CYP enzymes and glucuronidation.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water; for acute conditions (colds/flu): start at first symptom, 3 times daily for 5-7 days

Standardized Extract: Standardized extract at 10% andrographolide (most common commercial grade); premium extract at 30% andrographolide; 50% andrographolide (highly purified, for specific formulations)

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (standardized extract tablet/capsule); 1 year (syrup); 3 months (fresh juice)

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from light and moisture. Andrographolide is relatively stable in solid form but degrades in solution. Amber containers for liquid preparations.

Marker Compounds: Andrographolide, Neoandrographolide, 14-Deoxyandrographolide, 14-Deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide, Andrograpanin, Isoandrographolide

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (80:20 ethanol:water) for andrographolide-rich extract
  • Aqueous extraction (lower andrographolide yield but traditional)
  • Supercritical CO2 extraction
  • Methanol extraction followed by column chromatography for pure andrographolide
  • Standardized extract via ethanol extraction and spray drying

Synergistic Combinations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Worakunphanich W, Thavorncharoensap M, Youngkong S and others. 2021. Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta-analysisPharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. PMID 33372366 · doi:10.1002/pds.5190

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Okonogi R, Thampanya V, Okonogi S. 2023. Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata spray in acute pharyngitis: A randomized controlled trialDrug discoveries & therapeutics. PMID 37821383 · doi:10.5582/ddt.2023.01053

Other clinical studies and reviews7

  1. Agrawal P, Nair MS. 2022. An insight into the pharmacological and analytical potential of AndrographolideFundamental & clinical pharmacology. PMID 35001431 · doi:10.1111/fcp.12757
  2. Raman S, Murugaiyah V, Parumasivam T. 2022. Andrographis paniculata Dosage Forms and Advances in Nanoparticulate Delivery Systems: An OverviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36234698 · doi:10.3390/molecules27196164
  3. Jadhav AK, Karuppayil SM. 2021. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F) Wall ex Nees: Antiviral propertiesPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 33929758 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7145
  4. Patil R, Jain V. 2021. Andrographolide: A Review of Analytical MethodsJournal of chromatographic science. PMID 33221827 · doi:10.1093/chromsci/bmaa091
  5. Mehta S, Sharma AK, Singh RK. 2021. Therapeutic Journey of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees from Natural to Synthetic and NanoformulationsMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 33719961 · doi:10.2174/1389557521666210315162354
  6. Hao M, Lv M, Xu H. 2020. Andrographolide: Synthetic Methods and Biological ActivitiesMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 32348215 · doi:10.2174/1389557520666200429100326
  7. Mussard E, Cesaro A, Lespessailles E and others. 2019. Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An UpdateAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 31756965 · doi:10.3390/antiox8120571

Laboratory and animal studies3

  1. Rafi M, Karomah AH, Heryanto R and others. 2022. Metabolite profiling of Andrographis paniculata leaves and stem extract using UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MSNatural product research. PMID 32657134 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2020.1789637
  2. Hanh TTH, My NTT, Cham PT and others. 2020. Diterpenoids and Flavonoids from Andrographis paniculataChemical & pharmaceutical bulletin. PMID 31902905 · doi:10.1248/cpb.c19-00662
  3. Dai Y, Chen SR, Chai L and others. 2019. Overview of pharmacological activities of Andrographis paniculata and its major compound andrographolideCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 30040451 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1501657

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