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.

Keywords: Andrographis paniculata (AP); COVID-19 epidemic; andrographolide (AGL); anti-manic; anti-microbial; herbal-chemo remedy; immune booster.

Figure 1

Possible role of Andrographis paniculate (AP) in medicine and human diseases. The disease prevention using andrographolide (AGL) is the combined effects of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-pyrogenic, and immunomodulatory properties. *SC = synthetic compound.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of the effects of andrographolide (AGL) and possible mechanism of its immunomodulatory regulation. Abbreviations: IL, interleukine; Th,T-helper cell type; MHS-1, major histocompatibility complex class II; CD, cluster of differentiation 80; CD86 cluster of differentiation; CD40, cluster of differentiation.