Andrographis Paniculata in the Nanotechnology Era: A Review of Therapeutic Benefits and Novel Formulations

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Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees, (AP) a traditional medicinal plant, treats various conditions such as microbial infections, diabetes, liver disorders, and cancer. The AP's key diterpenoid, andrographolide (AG), accounts for its major therapeutic properties. The use of AP extracts and their bioactive components in treatments is limited because they have low solubility, are quickly metabolized, and followed by less effective in the body. New ways of delivering drugs, called novel drug delivery systems (NDDS), have been developed. Herbal nanoformulations, comprising natural herbal extracts or bioactive components at a nanoscale size, offer distinct advantages over conventional formulations, such as improved bioavailability and minimized toxicity risk. Some of these systems are nanoparticles, liposomes, phytosomes, niosomes, and lipid nanoparticles. This review summarizes research conducted between 2003 and 2023 on the use of AP extracts and their bioactive components in nanoformulations. It will also discuss recent advances in nanoformulations that make targeting specific therapeutic conditions more precise.