The Influence of Certain Taxonomic and Environmental Parameters on Biomass Production and Triterpenoid Content in the Leaves of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. from Madagascar

Abstract

Centella asiatica (Apiaceae family; Talapetraka in Malagasy) is a tropical and subtropical plant with leaves containing glycotriterpenoids (asiaticosides) used in traditional and modern medicine. C. asiatica is collected exclusively in natural stands. It is Madagascar's second most important indigenous plant export. The objective in this study is to provide data which will make it possible to optimize the harvest and thus effectively develop this resource. Two foliar morphotypes were identified: morphotype A with small reniform leaves (leaf area ca. 4.5 cm2), found in the east of Madagascar, and morphotype B with large round leaves (up to 7.5 cm2) found in the west, with sympatric zones in the central part of the island. Morphotype A produces a higher biomass, and is twice as rich in asiaticosides as morphotype B. Significant variations in biomass yield and asiaticoside content are observed depending on the date of collection: higher during the rainy season (December to April) and lower during the dry season (June to August). Inter‐annual variations are also observed. Populations located at around 800–1400 m altitude on the eastern side of Madagascar, in a sub‐humid climate, appeared to be more productive. These results provide more precise information to the economic sector, which confirms the empirical choices made by collectors. They represent the first elements towards sustainable management of the resource, and maybe even domestication.

Seasonal variation of triterpenes and phenolic compounds in australian Centella asiatica (L.) Urb

“…Samples with the highest content of both asiaticoside and total triterpenes originated from regions with elevated humidity and temperature (Randriamampionona et al ., ). Another Madagascan study reported a correlation of biomass yield and the asiaticoside content which were high during the rainy season and low during the dry season (Rahajanirina et al ., ), although the influence of temperature was not clear.…”

“…Higher yields of both, biomass (79.9 ± 1.5 g dry matter/m 2 ) and asiaticoside (5.8%) were found during the rainy season and lower biomass yield (15.1 ± 0.7 g dry matter/m 2 ) and asiaticoside (2.7%) were found during the dry/cold season. (Rahajanirina et al ., ). The influence of seasonal changes in the accumulation of phytochemical constituents can contribute differentially according to the geographical location.…”

Response of Plant Secondary Metabolites to Environmental Factors

“…As humidity and temperature elevated, samples exhibited the highest content of both asiaticoside and total triterpenes [ 104 ]. Another study reported the content of asiaticoside was higher during the rainy season and lower during the dry season [ 105 ]. More vividly, the effect of soil water on the content of plant secondary metabolites is displayed in Table 5 .…”

Centella asiatica: phytochemistry and mechanisms of neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement

“…Twelve C. asiatica accessions collected from multiple regions of South Africa had asiaticoside levels ranging from 0.75% to 2.06% dry weight (Long et al 2012). A study in Madagascar compared triterpene levels in two C. asiatica morphotypes, reniform leaves (type A; n=32 collection sites) and round leaves (type B; n= 13 collection sites), from the Eastern and Western regions of the island respectively (Rahajanirina et al 2012). Type A plants were found to have significantly higher levels of asiaticoside (3.7% vs 2%) and madecassoside (3.6% vs 2%) than the Type B plants, although aglycone levels did not differ significantly.…”