This study evaluated the in vivo efficacy and anti-inflammatory activity of Andrographis paniculata and Boesenbergia rotunda extracts using a Golden Syrian hamster model infected with the highly pathogenic Delta variant. Infected hamsters were orally administered either vehicle control, B. rotunda, or A. paniculata extract daily, with lung tissue and blood analyzed post-inoculation. Oral administration of A. paniculata significantly improved survival and reduced disease severity compared to both the control and B. rotunda. Interestingly, neither extract directly reduced viral loads in the lungs. However, A. paniculata significantly decreased local IL-6 protein levels and mitigated severe lung lesions. Systemically, both extracts successfully suppressed systemic inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in blood cells. Conclusion: A. paniculata shows strong therapeutic potential by mitigating harmful cytokine storms and protecting lung tissue, supporting its use as a complementary anti-inflammatory therapy.

Read more: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12849096/

First Author: Supasek Kongsomros

Corresponding Author: Arunee Thitithanyanont and Phisit Khemawoot