Andrographolide: its pharmacology, natural bioavailability and current approaches to increase its content in andrographis paniculata

Andrographolide is a labdane diterpenoid produced by Andrographis paniculata, (AP) a predominant constituent of at least 26 Ayurvedic formulations used to treat liver ailments. The plant produces a range of bioactive components like andrographolides and polyphenols.1 Among these, andrographolides (Figure 1) are pharmacologically the most active compounds; however, andrographolide content in conventionally propagated or wild plants is estimated to be only 2%-3%. The conventional vegetative propagation of AP is too slow to meet the demand of pharmaceutical industries which is increasing annually at a rate of 3.1%. Owing to its multivariate medicinal uses, the plant is placed at 17th position among 32 prioritized medicinal plants of India with a demand of 2197.3tons.2 The myriads of potential therapeutic effects of andrographolides have contributed to its rising price and market demand. Quality dry leaves of the plant are sold for as much as US $5/kg, whilst the purified andrographolide and its derivatives could reach up to the US $ 100,000/kg. The latest pricing by Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (USA) in 2016 for 100 and 500mg packages of andrographolide (98%) is US $36.20 and the US $ 135.00 respectively.