Andrographis
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) is a dietary supplement with 18 published peer-reviewed studies involving 11,022 participants, researched for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Anti-inflammatory & Immune, Liver Health & Metabolism and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
ModerateAnti-inflammatory & Immune
StrongLiver Health & Metabolism
ModerateClinical trials
ModerateSystematic reviews
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
To evaluate Andrographis extract on symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Andrographis extract on symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections
Dose
1200 mg/day SHA-10 extract
Participants
158 adults with URTIs
Duration
5 days
Results
Symptom severity reduced by 55% vs 28% in placebo (p<0.0001). Recovery time shortened by 1.5 days.
How They Measured It
Symptom score sheet, time to recovery
To evaluate Andrographis in cold and flu symptom reduction
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Andrographis in cold and flu symptom reduction
Dose
200 mg/day KalmCold extract
Participants
223 adults with common cold
Duration
5 days
Results
Significant improvements in fatigue, sore throat, and headache from day 2. Overall recovery significantly faster vs placebo.
How They Measured It
VAS for symptoms, well-being scores
To assess the efficacy of Andrographis for common cold symptoms
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess the efficacy of Andrographis for common cold symptoms
Dose
48-1800 mg/day
Participants
Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs (896 patients)
Duration
3-10 days
Results
Andrographis significantly outperformed placebo (SMD -0.58, p<0.001) in overall symptom scores and recovery time. Safe and well-tolerated.
How They Measured It
Symptom severity, recovery time across 7 RCTs
To compare Andrographis with Echinacea for URTI prevention
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To compare Andrographis with Echinacea for URTI prevention
Dose
400 mg/day Andrographis
Participants
107 healthy adults over winter season
Duration
3 months
Results
Andrographis group had 2.1x fewer colds than placebo. Andrographis showed superior prevention to Echinacea (1.7x). No significant adverse effects.
How They Measured It
Incidence of colds, symptom duration, sick days
Anti-inflammatory & Immune
To evaluate Andrographis on inflammatory markers in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Andrographis on inflammatory markers in healthy adults
Dose
400 mg/day andrographolide-enriched extract
Participants
50 healthy adults with elevated inflammation
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in CRP (28%), IL-6 (22%), and TNF-alpha (19%) vs placebo. NF-kB activity reduced in peripheral blood cells.
How They Measured It
CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, NF-kB activity
To evaluate Andrographis extract in rheumatoid arthritis
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Andrographis extract in rheumatoid arthritis
Dose
400 mg/day Paractin andrographolide
Participants
60 RA patients on stable therapy
Duration
14 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in joint pain and swelling vs placebo (p<0.05). DAS28 improved. CRP reduced by 14% vs 2% in placebo.
How They Measured It
DAS28, CRP, ESR, swollen joint count
Liver Health & Metabolism
To evaluate Andrographis hepatoprotective effects in patients with elevated liver enzymes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Andrographis hepatoprotective effects in patients with elevated liver enzymes
Dose
1200 mg/day
Participants
42 patients with elevated liver enzymes
Duration
8 weeks
Results
ALT reduced by 39% (p=0.001) and AST by 31% vs placebo. Bilirubin normalized in 76% of Andrographis group vs 40% placebo.
How They Measured It
ALT, AST, bilirubin, liver function profile
To evaluate Andrographis effects on blood glucose in type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Andrographis effects on blood glucose in type 2 diabetes
Dose
400 mg/day andrographolide extract
Participants
50 type 2 diabetes patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
FPG reduced by 8.4% and HbA1c by 0.5% vs placebo. HOMA-IR improved. Anti-inflammatory effects observed simultaneously.
How They Measured It
FPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, fasting insulin
To assess Andrographis on blood pressure in hypertensive patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Andrographis on blood pressure in hypertensive patients
Dose
300 mg/day andrographolide
Participants
45 hypertensive adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in systolic BP (8 mmHg) and diastolic BP (5 mmHg) vs placebo (p=0.01). Pulse wave velocity improved.
How They Measured It
24-hr ambulatory BP, pulse wave velocity
To summarize clinical evidence for Andrographis paniculata across health outcomes
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarize clinical evidence for Andrographis paniculata across health outcomes
Dose
Various
Participants
Systematic review of 33 RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Strong evidence for URTI efficacy; promising evidence for anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and metabolic effects. Well-tolerated. Standardised extracts important.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of RCTs across multiple indications
Clinical trials
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in efficacy and safety of ap-bio®(kalmcold®) in participants with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract viral infection (common cold) - a phase iii, doub
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in efficacy and safety of ap-bio®(kalmcold®) in participants with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract viral infection (common cold) - a phase iii, doub
Dose
Andrographis (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is commonly used for treating uncomplicated Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) in complementary and alternative system of medicine. AP-Bio®(KalmCold®) is a standardized extract derived from the leaves of A. paniculata. This study was proposed to evaluate its efficacy using validated scales and objective measures.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in pharmacokinetics and metabolomic profiling of metformin and andrographis paniculata: a protocol for a crossover randomised controlled trial.
Study Type
Clinical study
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in pharmacokinetics and metabolomic profiling of metformin and andrographis paniculata: a protocol for a crossover randomised controlled trial.
Dose
1000 mg
Participants
18 participants
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
ose samples and median Cmax concentration samples in the AP 1000 mg and AP 2000 mg arms for metabolomics study. The study protocol utilises a crossover study design to incorporate a metabolomics-based study into pharmacokinetics trial in the drug development program. The combination analyses will complement the interpretation of pharmacological effects according to the bioavailability of the drug.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in efficacy of andrographis paniculata extract treatment in mild to moderate covid-19 patients being treated with favipiravir: a double-blind, randomized
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in efficacy of andrographis paniculata extract treatment in mild to moderate covid-19 patients being treated with favipiravir: a double-blind, randomized
Dose
Andrographis (dose not specified)
Participants
19 treatment in Thailand, the efficacy of favipiravir treatmen
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
While favipiravir had been the standard anti-SARS-CoV-3 drug for COVID-19 treatment in Thailand, the efficacy of favipiravir treatment is controversial. Andrographis paniculata extract (APE) inhibits viral entry, exhibits immunomodulatory effects, and proposes to have the potential for early-stage COVID-19 treatment.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in efficacy of andrographis paniculata spray in acute pharyngitis: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in efficacy of andrographis paniculata spray in acute pharyngitis: a randomized controlled trial.
Dose
Andrographis (dose not specified)
Participants
60 participants
Duration
7 days
Results
oms in both groups (p < 0.05). The duration of treatment response in the A. paniculata spray group was 1.9 ± 0.7 days compared to 2.5 ± 1.2 days in the chamomile spray group (p = 0.049). No adverse events were noted in either group. A. paniculata spray is safe and highly efficacious in treating acute viral pharyngitis and can reduce symptoms more rapidly than a positive control spray.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in dietary herbaceous mixture supplementation reduced hepatic lipid deposition and improved hepatic health status in post-peak laying hens.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in dietary herbaceous mixture supplementation reduced hepatic lipid deposition and improved hepatic health status in post-peak laying hens.
Dose
0 mg
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
ed HM diets enhanced the hepatic antioxidative capacity than those received NC and Ctrl diet. Dietary HM depressed the mRNA level of inflammatory cytokine as compared to NC but not Ctrl group. Collectively, the diet with 300 mg/kg HM has a favorable effect in decreasing the lipid deposition and protecting liver injury by alleviating hepatic oxidant stress and inflammation in post-peak laying hens.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Systematic reviews
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in adverse effects of andrographolide derivative medications compared to the safe use of herbal preparations of andrographis paniculata: results of a sys
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in adverse effects of andrographolide derivative medications compared to the safe use of herbal preparations of andrographis paniculata: results of a sys
Dose
Andrographis (dose not specified)
Participants
9490 participants
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
The ADRs of andrographolide derivative medications are few, but can be life-threatening, mainly gastrointestinal, skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, and anaphylaxis. Injections of andrographolide derivatives should be used with caution. Herbal preparations of AP are essentially safe. Systematic Review Registration : [website], identifier [registration number].
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in exploring the clinical effects of andrographis paniculata-derived compounds, its extract, or derivatives for the treatment of covid-19: a systematic r
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in exploring the clinical effects of andrographis paniculata-derived compounds, its extract, or derivatives for the treatment of covid-19: a systematic r
Dose
Andrographis (dose not specified)
Participants
660 participants
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
resolved without severe complications. Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggest a potential role for AP extract and its derivatives as adjunctive therapy for COVID-19, with trends indicating possible benefits in symptom improvement and inflammation reduction. These findings highlight the need for further research to explore AP as a complementary therapeutic strategy in COVID-19 management.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in herbal medicines for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Andrographis in herbal medicines for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dose
Andrographis (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
remission for CL (RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.18-5.63), but not for AP (RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.86-2.01). Higher rates of endoscopic response (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.08-2.26) and remission (RR 19.37, 95% CI 2.71-138.42) were significant for CL. CL has evidence supporting its use as an adjuvant therapy in active UC. Research with larger scale and well-designed RCTs, manufacturing regulations, and education are needed.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Andrographis research
There are currently 18 peer-reviewed studies on Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), involving 11,022 total participants. Research covers Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Anti-inflammatory & Immune, Liver Health & Metabolism and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (13 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Andrographis has been researched for: Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Anti-inflammatory & Immune, Liver Health & Metabolism, Clinical trials, Systematic reviews. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 13 out of 18 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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