Potential of Andrographolide and <i>Andrographis paniculata</i> Extracts for the Management of Diabetes-associated Psychopathologies: Current Status

Abstract: Despite the availability of numerous anti-hyperglycemic and psychoactive drugs, and diverse therapeutic modalities, prevention and cure of diabetes-associated mental health problems continue to be a major challenge for medical practitioners. Considerable efforts have been made in many research laboratories, including ours, to identify the bioactive of traditionally known medicinal or food plants to identify their bioactive that could be used for the treatment of diabetes and comorbidities in metabolic disorders. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex. Nees. has been used in Ayurvedic and other traditionally known healthcare systems of India and many other Asian countries. Due to its extremely bitter taste, it is often referred to as the “king of bitters” and commonly known as “Kalmegh”. Andrographolide is one such metabolite of Andrographis paniculata used in many Asiatic countries for the treatment of diverse age and lifestyle-associated chronic diseases now used for discovering and developing anti-diabetic and other drugs. Available data on andrographolide and Andrographis paniculata strongly recommend that they could be better therapeutic choices for the prevention of diabetes and associated mental health problems than metformin and other pharmacotherapeutics currently commercialized for such purposes. However, the question of whether andrographolide or extracts of the plant enriched in it could be better suited for such purposes remains open. Currently, available quantitative data on their anti-hyperglycemic effects and brain function-modulating effects useful for answering this question are discussed in this report in light of our current knowledge of the role of gut microbiota in regulating glucose homeostasis and mental health. Their potential uses for discovering and developing drugs or phytotherapeutics from them are also pointed out.