Phytopharmaceuticals from Andrographis paniculata: An ambrosia for immortality

Andrographis paniculata Nees. (family Acanthaceae) is the most popular medicinal plant used traditionally for the treatment of array of diseases such as high fever, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcer, leprosy, bronchitis, skin diseases, flatulence, colic, influenza, dysentery, dyspepsia and malaria for centuries particularly in Asian continents. Its leaves and rhizomes possess several phytochemical constituents with major as andrographolide, deoxy-andrographolide and other diterpenes with unique and interesting biological properties. The plant extracts and pure compounds have been reported for their anti-microbial, cytotoxicity, anti-protozoan, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immune-stimulant, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, anti-angiogenic, hepato-protective, liver enzymes modulation insecticidal and toxicity activities. The results of numerous evaluations of extracts and metabolites isolated from this plant did not show any significant acute toxicity in experimental animals and regarded as safe for consumption. The drawback of andrographolide is its low bioavailability that could be improved by fabricating new analogs of bioactive constituents and suitable nanoparticles. The present review describes the diversity of usage of A. paniculata with respect to the medicinal value and phytoconstituents in order to bridge the gap between the research and applications of the plant for human health in the form of phytopharmaceuticals.