Global skin cancer incidence is rising significantly; and can potentially become life-threatening by metastatic spread. Multiple treatment options are available but suffer from dose limiting toxicity. Andrographolide, a bioactive molecule from Andrographis paniculata, is an alternative/traditional solution for skin cancers with additional benefit of skin lightening. Andrographolide has significant anticancer activity involving multiple mechanisms such as inhibition of COX-2 expression,

more »

... ion of p300 signaling and VEGF pathway, inhibition of Hh pathway, cellcycle arrest at G1/S phase, inhibition of iNOS expression, etc., with a safety profile. The current review focuses on promising applications of andrographolide for different skin and cosmetic problems. This is the first comprehensive review highlighting the dermal applications of andrographolide with special emphasis on its delivery for cosmeceutical usage.