Therapeutic Potential of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review

Abstract

Centella asiatica (also known as Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. or Gotu kola) is a traditional Chinese medicine with extensive medicinal value, which is commonly used in Southeast Asian countries. This study aimed to summarize the effects of C. asiatica and its main components on neurological diseases, endocrine diseases, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, immune diseases, and gynecological diseases, as well as potential molecular mechanisms, to study the pathological mechanism of these diseases based on the changes at the molecular level. The results showed that C. asiatica and its triterpenoids had extensive beneficial effects on neurological and skin diseases, which were confirmed through clinical studies. They exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, anti-apoptotic effects, and improvement in mitochondrial function. However, further clinical studies are urgently required due to the low level of evidence and lack of patients.

Cosmetic and Dermatological Properties of Selected Ayurvedic Plant Extracts

“…Among many active substances of plants, the strongest ability to improve the skin cells proliferation is shown by, e.g., caffeic acid and its derivatives, coumaric acid, gallic acid, rutin, quercetin and their derivatives [ 55 , 56 ]. As literature data shows [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ], one of the most valuable plant extracts with proliferative properties of various kinds of cells is Centella asiatica L. extract (Gotu kola). Aqueous, ethanolic and methanolicGotu kola extracts not only increase the skin cells viability but also significantly affect their migration properties, which gives this plant strong regenerative properties that are used in wound-healing processes.…”

Madecassoside Inhibits Body Weight Gain via Modulating SIRT1-AMPK Signaling Pathway and Activating Genes Related to Thermogenesis

“…By enhancing the expression of fatty acid oxidation related factors in epididymal fat (PGC-1α, PPARα, and CPT-1a), activation of BAT and WAT browning, suggesting that MA treatment can improve obesity by regulating lipid metabolism and promoting energy expenditure. As is shown above, oral bioavailability of MA is poor ( 11 ), but according to one of our previous systematic review, MA may be absorbed and utilized through enterohepatic circulation ( 50 ). The current experiment revealed that MA has significant effect on mesenteric fat and epididymal fat, but no detectable effect on abdominal fat was observed.…”

Insights Into Antioxidant Activities and Anti-Skin-Aging Potential of Callus Extract From Centella Asiatica (L.)

“…Due to their abundance and pharmacological activities, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassoside and madecassic acid are considered to be major active components of C. asiatica [7,16]. To examine whether 50% ethanolic extracts (green callus extract, GCE; brown callus extract, BCE; and authentic plant extract, APE) contains these triterpenoids, active compounds in extracts were separated with TLC approach.…”

“…Centella asiatica (L.) is a medicinal herb with high economic value. This plant has been traditionally used for treatment of variety diseases in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for centuries [7]. Extracts from C. asiatica demonstrates a broad range of pharmacological effects through their antioxidant activities in several preclinical models.…”