Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 160–1
Andrographis paniculata (AP) is used in the treatment of respiratory infection. Animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and immunostimulatory properties. This review assesses the safety and efficacy of AP in the treatment and prevention of acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
Systematic literature searches were conducted in seven computerised databases to February 2002. Experts in the field and manufacturers were asked for published and unpublished data; information was requested from spontaneous reporting schemes of the WHO and national safety bodies. No language restrictions were imposed. Trials of monopreparations or combination preparations against placebo or reference treatment were included. Screening and selection of trials, data extraction and evaluation of methodological quality were performed independently by two reviewers.
Seven trials met the inclusion criteria and scored at least three out of five points for methodological quality. Five trials (n = 803) reported the effects on patient-evaluated symptoms. Of these, three of AP alone (n = 317) and one of AP in combination with Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES) (n = 180) reported a significant improvement in favour of the AP preparation. One trial compared the effects of AP with paracetamol on the resolution of pharyngo-tonsillitis (n = 152); AP was equally effective. One trial showed a significant decrease in the rate of infections compared with placebo after 3 months. Adverse events were mild and infrequent.
The data suggest that AP alone or in combination with ES is superior to placebo in alleviating URTI symptoms. They also provide preliminary evidence of a preventative role; further research is warranted.
