Andrographis paniculata | Supplementopedia

Overview

Andrographis paniculata, commonly called “king of bitters,” is a herbaceous plant native to South‑East Asia.
The aerial parts (particularly the leaves and flowering tops) have been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
Modern research focuses on the plant’s standardized extract—rich in the diterpenoid andrographolide—as a botanical supplement.
It is aimed primarily at supporting immune function and managing acute inflammatory conditions.

Andrographis contains the diterpenoid andrographolide (C₂₀H₃₀O₅, mol. wt ≈ 350.44 g·mol⁻¹).
Its IUPAC name is (1S,4R,5R,6S,7R,8S,9S,10R,12S)-1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12‑nonahydro‑3,13‑dihydroxy‑1‑[(2‑R‑hydroxy-3‑hydroxymethyl-2‑propyl)‑5‑hydroxy‑3‑methyl‑2‑oxabicyclo[5.3.0]‑dec-9‑en-7‑yl]‑4‑hydroxy‑5,7‑dimethoxy‑3‑methoxy‑1‑oxopent‑2‑en‑7‑yl‑2‑propyl‑7‑yl‑2‑octen‑4‑yl‑2‑oxobut-3-ene‑4‑yl‑1‑hydroxy‑2‑phenyl‑1‑dimethyl‑2‑oxabicyclo[6.3.0]‑dec‑7‑yl‑2‑oxoprop‑3‑en‑4‑yl‑1‑hydroxy‑2‑oxabicycle[5.3.0]‑dec‑9‑en‑7‑yl‑1‑hydroxy‑2‑oxabicycle[5.3.0]‑dec‑9‑en‑7‑yl‑1‑hydroxy‑2‑oxabicycle[5.3.0]‑dec‑9‑en‑7‑yl‑1‑hydroxy‑2‑oxabicycle[5.3.0]‑dec‑9‑en‑7‑yl‑1‑hydroxy‑2‑oxabicycle... (truncated for readability).
The molecule features a lactone ring, multiple hydroxyl groups, and a three‑dimensional fused cyclopentane‑lactone scaffold essential for NF‑κB inhibition.
It is moderately polar (log P ≈ 2.5) and soluble in ethanol, methanol, and partially in water, enabling extraction via ethanol‑based methods.

Andrographis paniculata is cultivated primarily in India, Thailand, and China.
The aerial parts are harvested at the flowering stage (≈70 days after sowing) for optimal andro‑grapholide content.
Commercial extracts are prepared using ethanol or ethanol‑water (70 %) maceration followed by spray‑drying into capsules or tablets; supercritical CO₂ extraction is emerging for higher purity.
Quality parameters include andro‑grapholide content ≥30 % (standardized), low heavy‑metal levels, and absence of pesticide residues (verified by USP or WHO GMP standards).
Some manufacturers employ biotechnological fermentation to produce pure andro‑grapholide, but most dietary supplements rely on plant‑derived extracts.
For optimal consistency, look for products certified by third‑party labs (e.g., USP, NSF) that disclose extraction solvent, standardization level, and batch‑specific analysis.