Andrographis: How Your Body Processes This Herb

observational-study PMID: 36781896

Quick Summary: Scientists created a precise lab test to track how the body absorbs and changes key compounds from Andrographis paniculata, a plant used in traditional medicine. After taking it by mouth, the main active ingredients enter the bloodstream but quickly turn into modified forms that the body easily removes. This helps explain why this herb might work for things like mild COVID-19, as suggested in Thailand's essential medicines list.

What The Research Found

Researchers built a reliable testing method using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)—think of it as a super-accurate scanner for spotting tiny amounts of plant chemicals in blood and urine. They focused on the herb's major active parts, called diterpenoids, especially andrographolide.

Key discoveries include:
- The plant's main compounds do get into your bloodstream after swallowing the extract.
- But they don't stay in their original form—instead, your body quickly "transforms" them through phase II metabolism, creating new versions attached to glucuronide or sulfate (natural tags that make them water-soluble for easier removal).
- These transformed versions are the main ones found in blood, and your body gets rid of them fast, mostly through urine.
- The test method is quick, sensitive, and repeatable, making it useful for future studies on how the herb acts in real people.

This shows the herb isn't just passing through unchanged; your liver and other organs actively rework it for better handling.

Study Details

Who was studied: Healthy human volunteers (exact number, age, gender, or health details not specified in the research summary).

How long: Focused on a one-time dose with tracking of blood and urine over time (full duration not detailed, but emphasized rapid changes and elimination).

What they took: A single oral dose of Andrographis paniculata extract, standardized to 60 mg of andrographolide (the key active compound). It was likely in capsule or tablet form, but exact preparation wasn't described.

The study tested the extract because Andrographis is on Thailand's list of essential medicines and has been suggested for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

What This Means For You

If you're considering Andrographis supplements for immune support, colds, or respiratory issues, this research highlights how your body handles it. The original plant compounds get changed into new forms that might carry the real benefits—like fighting inflammation or viruses—but they're cleared out quickly.

Practical tips:
- Look for standardized extracts with at least 60 mg andrographolide per dose to match what was studied.
- Don't expect the full "raw" herb power in your blood; the modified versions are what stick around and get excreted.
- This could explain why some people feel effects soon after taking it, but it might not build up over time—talk to a doctor before using, especially if you have liver issues or take other meds.
- For everyday users, it supports safe, short-term use for mild symptoms, but more studies are needed to confirm benefits like COVID relief.

Study Limitations

This was a small-scale lab-focused study on just one dose, so it doesn't show long-term effects or how repeated use changes things. No details on participant numbers or backgrounds mean we can't say if results apply to everyone (like older adults or those with health conditions). It also didn't test if the herb actually helps symptoms—only how it's processed in the body. Finally, while the testing method is solid, real-world factors like food intake or individual differences in metabolism weren't explored, so results might vary person to person. Always check with a healthcare pro for personalized advice.

Key Findings

This study developed and validated a sensitive LC-MS/MS method to quantify major diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata in human plasma and urine. Key results confirmed that after oral administration, the parent diterpenoids (primarily andrographolide) enter systemic circulation but undergo extensive phase II metabolism. Glucuronide and sulfate conjugates were identified as the predominant metabolites in plasma. These metabolites were rapidly eliminated, with urinary excretion noted as a significant elimination pathway. The research concluded that biotransformation, not the parent compounds, defines the systemic exposure profile of A. paniculata diterpenoids.

Study Design

This was an observational pharmacokinetic study utilizing a newly developed analytical method. The methodology centered on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a C18 column and water/acetonitrile gradient mobile phase, operating in negative ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The clinical application involved a single oral dose administration to human subjects. Specific sample size, subject demographics (e.g., age, sex, health status), study duration beyond the single dose, and exact number of participants were not reported in the provided summary.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received a single oral dose of Andrographis paniculata extract. The dose was standardized and calculated to deliver 60 mg of andrographolide. The specific formulation of the extract (e.g., capsule, tablet) and whether it was administered with food were not detailed in the summary.

Results & Efficacy

The validated LC-MS/MS method demonstrated high sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility for quantifying diterpenoids and their metabolites. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that while parent diterpenoids were detectable, the major circulating components in plasma were glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. These metabolites reached systemic circulation and were "extremely eliminated," with urinary excretion identified as a key route. The summary states metabolites were "predominantly found in plasma" but does not provide specific concentration-time curves, area-under-the-curve (AUC) values, maximum concentration (Cmax), elimination half-life (t1/2), or any statistical measures of significance (p-values, confidence intervals) for the pharmacokinetic parameters.

Limitations

Major limitations include the lack of reported sample size and participant demographics, preventing assessment of population representativeness. The study only evaluated a single oral dose, so multiple-dose pharmacokinetics, accumulation potential, or long-term metabolic effects remain unknown. No efficacy data regarding clinical outcomes (e.g., antiviral effects for COVID-19) were measured, as the focus was solely on pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The absence of quantitative pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC, Cmax, t1/2) and statistical analyses in the summary limits detailed interpretation. Future research requires multi-dose studies, correlation of metabolite levels with clinical effects, and investigation into inter-individual variability in metabolism.

Clinical Relevance

This research provides crucial insight for supplement users and developers: the biological activity of A. paniculata is likely mediated primarily by its phase II metabolites (glucuronides/sulfates), not the parent andrographolide found in extracts. This explains why oral efficacy might differ from in vitro studies using pure andrographolide. Formulations aiming to enhance bioavailability should target metabolite delivery or stability. Users should understand that standard extracts undergo significant metabolic transformation, meaning blood levels of the compound listed on a label (andrographolide) may not reflect active systemic components. The findings support the need for clinical trials measuring metabolite concentrations when evaluating A. paniculata's effectiveness for conditions like mild respiratory infections.