Andrographis paniculata, commonly known ascreat orgreen chiretta,[2] is an annualherbaceous plant in the familyAcanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka.
It is widely cultivated in Southern and Southeastern Asia, where it has been believed to be a treatment for bacterialinfections and some diseases. Mostly theleaves androots have been used for such purposes; the whole plant is also used, in some cases.[3]
The plant grows as an erect herb to a height of 30–110 cm (12–43 in) in moist, shady places. The slender stem is dark green, square in cross-section with longitudinal furrows and wings along the angles. The lance-shaped leaves have hairless blades measuring up to 8 cm (3.1 in) long by 2.5 cm (0.98 in). The small flowers are pink, solitary, arranged in lax spreadingracemes orpanicles. The fruit is a capsule around 2 cm (0.79 in) long and a few millimeters wide.[4] It contains many yellow-brown seeds. The seeds are subquadrate, rugose and glabrous. The flowering time is September to December.[5]
The species is distributed in tropical Asian countries, often in isolated patches. It can be found in a variety of habitats, such as plains, hillsides, coastlines, and disturbed and cultivated areas such as roadsides and farms. Native populations ofA. paniculata are spread throughout south India and Sri Lanka which perhaps represent the center of origin and diversity of the species. The herb is anintroduced species in northern parts of India, Java, Malaysia, Indonesia, the West Indies, and elsewhere in the Americas. The species also occurs in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, and other parts of Asia where it may or may not be native. The plant is cultivated in many areas, as well.
Unlike other species of the genus,A. paniculata is of common occurrence in most places in India, including the plains and hilly areas up to 500 m (1,600 ft), which accounts for its wide use.
In India the major source of plant is procured from its wild habitat. The plant is categorised as Low Risk or of Least Concern by the IUCN. Under the trade nameKalmegh, on average 2,000–5,000 tonnes (2,200–5,500 tons) of the plant is traded in India.[6]
The plant does best in a sunny location. The seeds are sown during May and June (northern hemisphere). The seedlings are transplanted at a distance of60 cm (24 in) × 30 cm (12 in).
A. paniculata has been used inSiddha andAyurvedic medicine,[10] and is promoted as a dietary supplement for cancer prevention and cure. There is no evidence that it helps prevent or cure cancer.[11]
A. paniculata has also traditionally been used in India and China for the common cold and influenza. A 2017 (pre COVID-19)meta-analysis evaluatingAndrographis paniculata foracute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) indicated possible support for its efficacy and safety, but cautioned that the trials reviewed were of poor quality and thus not conclusive.[13]
Amid Thailand'sCOVID-19 outbreak in December 2020, the country'shealth ministry approved the usage of the plant extract for a pilot alternative treatment program.[14] In July 2021, theCabinet of Thailand approved the use of green chiretta to treat asymptomatic COVID patients after theThai Corrections Department said the drug was beneficial in prison inmates.[15] Claims as to its efficacy as a COVID therapeutic are contentious and in dispute.[16]
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration's evaluation of the safety concern regarding the herb "is ongoing".
"This includes further strengthening labelling requirements and/or restrictions on the availability of Andrographis paniculata as an ingredient," a TGA spokesperson said.
A 2012 review found thatA. paniculata extracts could inhibit expression of severalcytochrome C enzymes and thus interfere with metabolism of other pharmaceuticals.[17] A 2019 review finds thatA. paniculata compounds such asandrographolide have poor solubility and relatively low potency, and that a semi-synthetic injectable derivativeXiyanping can cause sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions.[18]
Andrographolide is the major constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant and is a bicyclic diterpenoidlactone. This bitter principle was isolated in pure form by Gorter in 1911. Systematic studies on chemistry ofA. paniculata have been carried out.[19][20]
^Anil Kumar, Jyotsna Dora, Anup Singh and Rishikant Tripathi (2012). "A review on king of bitter (Kalmegh)".Int J Res Pharm Chem.2 (1):116–124.S2CID29219947.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Board, N.I.I.R. (2003).Herbs cultivation & their utilization. Delhi, India: Asia Pacific Business Press, Inc. pp. 45–46.ISBN81-7833-064-4.
^Rammohan Subramanian, Mohd. Zaini Asmawi, Amirin Sadikun (2012). "A bitter plant with a sweet future? A comprehensive review of an oriental medicinal plant:Andrographis paniculata".Phytochemistry Reviews.11 (1). Springer: Phytochemistry Reviews.Bibcode:2012PChRv..11...39S.doi:10.1007/s11101-011-9219-z.S2CID18018227.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Yan Dai, Shao-Ru Chen, Ling Chai, Jing Zhao, Yitao Wang & Ying Wang (2019). "Overview of pharmacological activities of Andrographis paniculata and its major compound andrographolide".Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.59 (sup1):S17 –S29.doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1501657.PMID30040451.S2CID51715899.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Chao W-W., Lin B.-F. "Isolation and identification of bioactive compounds in Andrographis paniculata (Chuanxinlian)Chinese Medicine 2010 5 Article Number 17
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