Therapeutic Journey of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees from Natural to Synthetic and Nanoformulations

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) is a herbaceous plant and is commonly called 'King of Bitters'. It has gained attraction as a potential hepatoprotective agent and a natural molecule with various biological activities viz. anticancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, neuroprotective, and so on. The andrographolide is one of the main diterpenoids responsible for the drug's bitter taste and various therapeutic activities. The poor cellular permeability, solubility and short biological half-life of its pure components limit its distribution to the target tissue. To conquer this obstacle, various researchers worldwide have been working on designing the synthetic derivatives of its active components and nanoformulations to improve the drug's efficiency and selectivity to develop more active leads for biomedical applications. This article discussed the recent research on synthetic derivatives, including their possible therapeutic applications and structure-activity relationship (SAR). Additionally, this article also presents essential information concerning the var ious nanoformulations developed to increase the delivery of pure compound/plant extract to the target site, thereby improving the drug's efficacy for multiple ailments.