Andrographis paniculata(Green chiretta) may combat COVID-19

Abstract

Andrographis paniculata (Figure 1), known as “Indian echinacea” is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine and ayurveda. Andrographis paniculata is native to India and Sri Lanka but is naturalized in many tropical countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Java, and Borneo where it grows isolated patches on roadside, near drain, in between wall cracks, lowlands, hillside, coastlines, and other cultivated or disturbed areas, such as wastelands. It is a bitter-tasting herb rich in compounds known as andrographolides that is hypothesized to have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This herb is said to act as a natural immune-booster. Andrographis paniculata is most widely used to treat cold and flu symptoms and is also used to treat other diseases and symptoms, such as human immunodeficiency-virus infection (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), infections, parasitic infestations, sinus infections, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatic problems, cardiac diseases, anorexia, allergies, ulcers, and skin diseases. Nevertheless, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of Andrographis paniculata for most of these health benefits. Some preliminary studies demonstrated that Andrographis paniculata may offer the health benefits, such as upper respiratory tract infections and ulcerative colitis.