Andrographis Study for COVID-19 Treatment

There are studies to support andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) as an immune modulator which could be helpful in preventing viral infections and to support immune function. In Thailand andrographis was approved by the health ministry as an alternative treatment for the early stages of COVID-19 symptoms. In a 2023 randomised controlled pilot study of a proprietary andrographis, used as an add-on therapy in mild to moderate COVID-19, it was found to reduce the severity of infection and halted the disease progression.

Forty people were assigned to andrographis as an add-on to the conventional standard of care COVID-19 treatment using modern medicine, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, antacids and supplements, without antiviral drugs whereas in another group 40 patients were also recommended antiviral drugs, such as Favipiravir and Remdesivir, for COVID-19 management. Andrographis arrested the disease progression of COVID-19 by alleviating the inflammatory markers. The study highlighted a two-day benefit in recovery for those who received andrographis. Andrographis also demonstrated an excellent safety profile. For ethical reasons the researchers had to conduct an 'add-on' trial as no standalone treatment was permitted during the pandemic. Critical patients could not be enrolled due to ethical reasons.

In a randomised, quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 86 people with mild COVID-19, a combination of andrographis and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) reduced the duration of disease, virus clearance, days of hospitalisation, accelerated the recovery of patients and significantly relieved the severity of inflammatory symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose and muscle pain.

References

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