Effect of Andrographis paniculata Extract on Triglyceride Levels of the Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hypertriglyceridemia is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and reduction oftriglyceride (TG) level is recommended in clinical practice guidelines for the treatment. Recently, andrographolide, a main active compound of Andrographispaniculata has been shown to possess hypolipidemic effects in animals.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the TG-lowering effects of A. paniculata extract (APE) in patients with hypertriglyceridemia (TG ≥ 150 mg/dL) using gemfibrozil treatment as the reference.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in sixty subjects with hypertriglyceridemia. They were divided into three groups and treated with low dose of APE (APE-L, andrographolide 71.64-72.36 mg/day), high dose of APE (APE-H, andrographolide 119.64-120.36 mg/day), and gemfibrozil 300 mg/day. The treatments were conducted for 8 weeks. Guidance on lifestyle modifications was provided.

RESULTS:

The primary endpoint was the mean difference ± SD (95% CI) in TG levels (baseline from the end of treatment), which were -3 ± 125.6 (-59.1, 58.5), 41.6 ± 86.3 (1.2, 82), and 57.1 ± 94.9 (12.7, 101.6) in the APE-L, APE-H, and gemfibrozil groups, respectively. APE-H 120 mg/day and gemfibrozil 300 mg/day caused a significant reduction of TG level (P = 0.0442 and 0.0145, respectively) when compared to the baseline. There was no notable difference in the safety or tolerability among the treatment groups.

CONCLUSION:

In patients with modest hypertriglyceridemia with lifestyle intervention, APE-H reduced the TG level comparable to the effect of gemfibrozil 300 mg/day. APE treatment was as tolerable as gemfibrozil treatment. Hence, Andrographis paniculata might be used as an alternative medicine in treating hypertriglyceridemic patients.

• Authors: Kutcharin Phunikhom, Kovit Khampitak, Chantana Aromdee, Tarinee Arkaravichien, Jintana Sattayasai
• Journal: Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet (J Med Assoc Thai) Vol. 98 Suppl 6 Pg. S41-7 (Jul 2015) ISSN: 0125-2208 [Print] Thailand
• PMID: 26434249 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hypolipidemic Agents
• Plant Extracts
• Triglycerides
• Gemfibrozil

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Andrographis
• Animals
• Female
• Gemfibrozil (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Health Behavior
• Humans
• Hypertriglyceridemia (drug therapy)
• Hypolipidemic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Life Style
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Triglycerides (blood)