Andrographis paniculata
The main compliant about Andrographis paniculata Nees is that it may affect the fertility of the person consuming the drug. Of the reported biological effects of the species, it is worth mentioning in this context about the anti-fertility effects of the herb.
The original reference is:
Akbarsha MA, Manivannan B, Hamid KS, Vijayan B. Anti-fertility effect of Andrographis paniculata (Nees) in male albino rat. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 28 (5): 421-426, 1990.
Abstract: Dry leaf powder of Andrographis paniculata, when fed orally to male albino rats, at a dose level of 20 mg powder per day for 60 days resulted in cessation of spermatogenesis, degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules, regression of Leydig cells and regressive and/or degenerative changes in the epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and coagulating gland. There was reduction in the weight and fluid content of the accessory glands, accumulation of glycogen and cholesterol in the testis and increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase in the testis and alkaline phosphatase in testis and ventral prostrate. The results suggest antispermatogenic and/or anti-androgenic effect of the plant.
There is one another study:
Burgos RA, Caballero EE, Sanchez NS, Schroeder RA, Wikman GK*, Hancke JL. *Swedish Herbal Institute, Kronhusgaton 11, Gothenberg, Sweden) Testicular toxicity assessment of Andrographis paniculata dried extract in rats J Ethnopharmacol 58: 219-224, 1997
Abstract: The possible testicular toxicity of Andrographis paniculata, standardized dried extract was evaluated in male Sprague Dawley rats for 60 days. No testicular toxicity was found with the treatment of 20, 200 and 1000 mg/kg during 60 days as evaluated by reproductive organ weight, testicular histology, ultrastructural analysis of Leydig cells and testosterone levels after 60 days of treatment. It was concluded that Andrographis paniculata dried extract did not produce subchronic testicular toxicity effect in male rats.
The significant inference that can be made from this work is that in the normal situations of using A. paniculata as a drug there is not even a single situation where the drug is continuously applying for 60 days. Hence the anti-fertility effects can not be expected in the normal situations. Or it can be concluded that if cautiously used (lower dosage for shorter period), the drug is not at all creating any adverse effects.
Moreover, results of the toxicity tests, a legal requirement in the majority of countries including India, have shown that the herb does not significantly affect body weight, blood picture, hepatic and renal functions or histology of major organs.
Another interesting Research Article
Comparative controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination, Kan Jang® and an Echinacea preparation as adjuvant, in the treatment of uncomplicated respiratory disease in children
A. A. Spasov 1, O. V. Ostrovskij 1, M. V. Chernikov 1, G. Wikman 2 *
1Research Institute of Pharmacology of Volgograd Medical Academy, Volgograd, Russia
2Swedish Herbal Institute, Västra Frölunda, Sweden
email: G. Wikman (christina.holm@shi.se)
*Correspondence to G. Wikman, Swedish Herbal Institute, Gruvgatan 37, SE-421 30 Västra Frölunda, Sweden.
Keywords
Andrographis paniculata Nees SHA-10 • Kan Jang • common cold • uncomplicated upper respiratory diseases • Echinacea purpurea (L.) • comparative study • adjuvant
Abstract
A three-arm study comparing the efficacy of Kan Jang, a fixed herbal combination containing standardized Andrographis paniculata (N.) SHA-10 extract, with Immunal, a preparation containing Echinacea purpurea (L.) extract, in uncomplicated common colds was carried out in 130 children aged between 4 and 11 years over a period of 10 days. The study was designed as an adjuvant treatment of Kan Jang and Immunal with a standard treatment. The patients were assigned to one of the three groups. In control group C; 39 patients received only standard treatment. Kan Jang and Immunal were used as an adjuvant to this therapy in the other two groups. Adjuvant group A; 53 patients treated with Kan Jang tablets concomitant to standard treatment, and adjuvant control group B; 41 patients treated with concomitant Immunal. It was found that the adjuvant treatment with Kan Jang, was significantly more effective than Immunal, when started at an early stage of uncomplicated common colds. The symptoms of the disease were less severe in the Kan Jang group. The effect of Kan Jang was particularly pronounced in two objective parameters, amount of nasal secretion g/day and nasal congestion. Kan Jang also accelerated the recovery time, whereas Immunal did not show the same efficacy. The use of standard medication was significantly less in the Kan Jang adjuvant group than in either the Immunal or standard treatment group. Kan Jang treatment was well tolerated and no side effects or adverse reactions were reported.
