Insight into the pharmacological effects of andrographolide in musculoskeletal disorders

Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been widely used in Asian countries for hundreds of years. Andrographolide (AG) is a diterpene lactone extracted from A. paniculata. Owing to the in-depth study of pharmacological mechanisms, the therapeutic potential of AG, including its anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immunoregulatory attributes, has attracted the attention of many researchers. Studies testing the therapeutic effects of AG have demonstrated desirable results in the treatment of a variety of clinical diseases. With high safety and various biological functions, AG might be a promising candidate for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Here, we review all available literatures to summarize the pharmacological effects of AG and facilitate further researches on musculoskeletal diseases.