Andrographis paniculata: From Traditional to Nano Drug for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Andrographis paniculata (family: Acanthaceae) is used in the Indian, Thai, and Chinese traditional system of medicines since the ancient times to cure fever, common cold, inflammation, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, hepatic impairment, and pyelonephritis. Andrographolide (a diterpenoidal lactone), which is an active bitter principle of this herb, has recently shown anticancer potential against leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma cells. It also has immunomodulatory properties against cancer cells, but its pharmacodynamic effects are hampered due to its biopharmaceutic properties. The poor aqueous solubility and high hydrophobicity lead to a low oral bioavailability of andrographolide. It is unstable in extreme acidic and alkaline conditions of gastrointestinal tract and has a very short biological half-life, i.e., t1/2 = 2 h. It is also extremely bitter in taste and hence is called the King of bitters. To overcome these problems, andrographolide is converted into several types of nano delivery systems such as the solid lipid nanoparticles, PLGA nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, etc. Nanoformulations are attractive for their potential to improve the physicochemical properties and the pharmacokinetics of herbal drugs. The present review elucidates the traditional uses of A. paniculata, use of andrographolide in cancer therapy, and the novel drug delivery systems used to incorporate the drug for improving its biopharmaceutic properties.