Andrographis paniculata Downregulates ProinflammatoryCytokine Production and Augments Cell Mediated ImmuneResponse in Metastatic Tumor-Bearing Mice

Effects of Andrographis paniculata extract and its major component, andrographolide, on cell-mediatedimmune responses in metastatic tumor bearing animals were studied. NK cell mediated target cell lysis wasenhanced by the administration of Andrographis paniculata extract (45.0% cell lysis) and andrographolide(40.2% cell lysis) on the 5th day after tumor induction when compared to untreated metastatic tumor bearinganimals in which maximum target cell lysis was observed on 11th day (11.4%). Antibody dependent cell-mediatedcytotoxicity (ADCC) was also enhanced by treatment with the extract (42.0% cell lysis) and andrographolide(40.2%) in comparison with the untreated case (11.0%). Similarly, the extract (25%) and andrographolide(22%) showed higher ACC activity than the control (14%) and treatment of extract and andrographolideresulted in significant increase in serum IL-2 and TIMP-1 levels. Furthermore, the levels of proinflammatorycytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, GM-CSF and TNF-α were effectively reduced by the administration of extractand andrographolide in metastatic tumor bearing animals.