Andrographis paniculata Nees, Acanthaceae, is known as the king of the bitter due to its main constituent,
andrographolide. The activities of A. paniculata and andrographolide were antiviral, analgesics, antipyretics, antibacterials and anti-inflammatory
[1 ]. Andrographolide is an ent-labdane containing an α-alkylidene-γ-butyrolactone moiety; two double bonds Δ8(17),
Δ12(13); and three hydroxyls at C-3 (a secondary), C-19 (a primary), and C-14 (an
allylic). The functional group/s responsible for bitterness of the compound is not
yet confirmed, however, esterification of the free hydroxyls of the compound with
short chain and long chain fatty acids resulted in diminishing of the bitterness as
well as improving those claimed activities of A. paniculata.
In our studies 14-acetylation increases the antibacterial against some Gram positive
bacteria which resulted in the cell division of B. subtilis [2]. The 3,19-isopropylidenylandrographolide and 14-deoxy,3–19-dipalmitoylandrographolide
gave the highest analgesic, antipyretic and antiinflammatory activities [3]. Whereas,
only 3,19-isopropylidenylandrographolide gave absolute anti-replication of HSV-1 [4]
and interfering 2 glycoproteins synthesis of the virus.
Keywords: andrographolide, 14-acetylandrographolide, 14-deoxy-3, 19-dipalmitoylandrographolide,
3, 19-isopropylidenylandrographolide, antibacterial, anti-HSV-1, HSV-1 glycoproteins
Acknowledgement:
We thanks the Thailand Research Fund for the grant of „Nonbitter Andrographolide“.
References: 1. Chopra RN, Nayar SL, Chopra IC (1956) Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council
for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi
2. Aromdee C et al. (2011) Arch Pharm Res 34: 71–77.
3. Suebsasana S et al. (2009) Arch Pharm Res 32: 1191–1200.
4. Aromdee C et al. (2010). Planta Med 76:1–7.
