A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a standardized extract of the aerial parts (containing 4% andrographolides) on the initial symptoms of the common cold and uncomplicated sinusitis. Fifty adult patients received either 1020mg extract or a placebo daily for 5 days. The results demonstrated that patients in the treated group took less sick leave than those in the placebo group (0.21 day compared to 0.96 day). Furthermore, 68% of treated patients felt totally recovered, as compared with 36% of the placebo group. Also 55% of the treated patients thought that the course of illness was much easier than normal, as compared with 19% of the placebo group (18).