Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs – Chuan Xin Lian (Herba andrographis paniculatae)

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Chuan Xin Lian (Herba andrographis paniculatae)

Chuan Xin Lian is also known as green chiretta. The bitter and cold herb has been used in TCM as antibiotic, antiviral, antipyretic and anti parasite agent and to reduce swelling, for fever in influenza, swelling and pain in throat, boils in mouth and tongue, treat chronic cough, diarrhea, painful urination, snake bites, etc. as it clears Heat, xpels toxins, dries Dampness, cool blood, etc., by enhancing the function of lungs, large intestine, bladder channels.

Ingredients

1. Deoxyandrographolide 0.1%
2. Andrographolide 1.5%
3. Andrographosterin
4. Daucosterol
5. Andrographoside
6. Neoandrographolide 0.2%
7. Homoandrographolide
8. Andrographan
9. 14-ninandrographolide
10. 19-glucosyl-deoxyandrographolide
11. 14-deoxy-l1,12-oxoandrographolide
12. 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide
13. Steroid saponin
14. Tannins
15. Potassium chloride
16. Sodium chloride
17. Alkaloids

18. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Acute inflammation
In the investigation of investigate anti-inflammatory effect of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) (AP) and the effects of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from AP on the level of inflammatory mediators examined first using nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) driven luciferase assay found that the AP and PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an anti-inflammatory agent) groups had significantly lower TNF-alpha, IL-12p40, MIP-2 or NO in serum or peritoneal macrophages and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lung of mice. The AP1 group also had significantly lower MIP-2 mRNA expression in brain. This study suggests that AP can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and alleviate acute hazards at its optimal dosages, according to “Inhibitory effects of ethyl acetate extract of Andrographis paniculata on NF-{kappa}B trans-activation activity and LPS-induced acute inflammation in mice” by Chao WW, Kuo YH, Hsieh SL, Lin BF.(1) 2. Anti inflammatory and anti cancer effects
In the observation of widely used of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees for centuries in Asian countries like China, India, Thailand and Malaysia for the treatment of sore throat, flu and upper respiratory tract infection, and the isolation from A. paniculata.Andrographolide, 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and neoandrographolide are examples of the major labdane diterpenoids, found that Andrographolide and its derivatives have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models of asthma, stroke and arthritis, and in patients with upper respiratory tract infection and the anti-cancer mechanisms for andrographolide include inhibition of JAK-STAT, PI3K and NF-κB signaling pathways, suppression of HSP90, cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, metalloproteinases and growth factors, and induction of tumour suppressor proteins p53 and p21, leading to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, survival, metastasis and angiogenesis, according to “Andrographolide and its analogues: versatile bioactive molecules for combating inflammation and cancer” by Lim CW, Chan TK, Ng DS, Sagineedu SR, Stanslas J, Wong WF.(2)
3. Renoprotective effects
In the evaluation of normal control, gentamicin control, and aqueous extract of A. paniculata (200 mg/kg, per oral (p.o.))-treated in Male Wistar albino rats, found that the aqueous extract (whole plant) of A. paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees exhibits a significant renoprotective effect in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats, according to “Renoprotective effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees in rats” by Singh P, Srivastava MM, Khemani LD.(3)
4. Rheumatoid arthritis
In the evaluation of a prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was performed. Tablets (Paractin) made of an extract of A. paniculata (30% total andrographolides) were administered three times a day for 14 weeks, after a 2-week washout period to 60 patients with active RA, found that A. paniculata could be a useful “natural complement” in the treatment of AR; however, a larger trial and a more extended period of treatment is necessary in order to corroborate these results, according to “Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial” by Burgos RA, Hancke JL, Bertoglio JC, Aguirre V, Arriagada S, Calvo M, Cáceres DD.(4)
5. Upper respiratory tract infections
In the investigation of the leaves of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall ex Nees (Acanthaceae) and its effect on upper respiratory tract infections, found that A. paniculata is superior to placebo in alleviating the subjective symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. There is also preliminary evidence of a preventative effect. Adverse events reported following administration of A. paniculata were generally mild and infrequent. There were few spontaneous reports of adverse events, according to “Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy” by Coon JT, Ernst E.(5)
6. Antihyperglycemic effect
In the investigation of the effect of antihyperglycemic action of andrographolide, an active principle in the leaves of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats), found that Andrographolide at the effective dose (1.5 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the increase of plasma glucose induced by an intravenous glucose challenge test in normal rats. In the isolated soleus muscle of STZ-diabetic rats, andrographolide enhanced the uptake of radioactive glucose in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the mRNA and protein levels of the subtype 4 form of the glucose transporter (GLUT4) in soleus muscle were increased after repeated intravenous administration of andrographolide in STZ-diabetic rats for 3 days. These results suggest that andrographolide can increase the glucose utilization to lower plasma glucose in diabetic rats lacking insulin, according to “Antihyperglycemic effect of andrographolide in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats” by Yu BC, Hung CR, Chen WC, Cheng JT.(6)
7. Etc.