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Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O.

Overview:

Gotu kola is a tropical plant commonly found in India and Indonesia. It has traditionally been used to promote wound healing, increase energy and enhance sexual potency. It is reported to have a positive effect on tissues, specifically skin, connective tissue, lymph and mucous membranes.

One of primary component of gotu kola called asiaticoside has been found to possess wound healing activity by increasing collagen formation.

Stretch Marks
Gotu kola preparations may also be helpful in decreasing the stretch marks (striae gravidarum) that many women develop during pregnancy.

start quoteA study of 100 pregnant women compared application of a cream containing a gotu kola extract, vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and collagen-elastin hydrolysates to placebo. Application of the compounded cream was associated with less women developing stretch marks than in placebo.end quote

-- Cochrane Database Syst Review 2000

Application of preparations of gotu kola topically may also be beneficial in decreasing the scarring seen during wound healing,

One of gotu kola's primary effects appears to be on connective tissues by strengthening weakened veins. Gotu kola has been reported to act on the connective tissues of the vascular wall,

Gastric Ulcer
A laboratory study of a gotu kola extract was reported effective in inhibing gastric lesions.

Most Frequently Reported Uses

  • Cellulitis
  • Cuts
  • Keloids
  • Phlebitis
  • Pressure Sores
  • Scleroderma
  • Sores
  • Wound Healing Agent
  • Varicosities

    Most Common Dosage
    50mg (standardized extract), 2 times a day.

    Gotu kola does not contain any caffeine and is not related in any way to kola nut.

    References:

    Brinkhaus B, Lindner M, Schuppan D, et al. Chemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Profile of the East Asian Medical Plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine. Oct2000;7(5):427-48.

    Suguna L, et al. Effects of Centella asiatica Extract on Dermal Wound Healing in Rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 1996;34(12):1208-11.

    Hausen BM. Centella asiatica (Indian Pennywort), an Effective Therapeutic But a Weak Sensitizer. Contact Dermatitis. 1993;29(4):175-79.

    Tenni R, et al. Effect of the Triterpenoid Fraction of Centella asiatica on Macromolecules of the Connective Matrix in Human Skin Fibroblast Cultures. Ital J Biochem. 1988;37(2):69-77.

    Maquart FX, et al. Stimulation of Collagen Synthesis in Fibroblast Cultures by a Triterpene Extracted from Centella asiatica. Connect Tissue Res. 1990;24(2):107-20.

    Cesarone MR, et al. The Microcirculatory Activity of Centella asiatica in Venous Insufficiency. A Double-blind Study. Minerva Cardioangiol. 1994;42(6):299-304.

    Shukla A, Rasik AM, Jain GK, Shankar R, et al. In Vitro and In Vivo Wound Healing Activity of Asiaticoside Isolated from Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. Apr1999;65(1):1-11.

    Danese P, et al. Allergic Contact Dermatitis Due to Centella asiatica Extract. Contact Dermatitis. 1994;31(3):201.

    Brinkhaus B, Lindner M, Schuppan D, et al. Chemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Profile of the East Asian Medical Plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine. Oct2000;7(5):427-48.

    Sunilkumar, Parameshwarajah S, Shivakumar HG. Evaluation of Topical Formulations of Aqueous Extract of Centella asiatica on Open Wounds in Rats. Indian J Exp Biol. Jun1998;36(6):569-72.

    Poizot A, et al. Modification of the Kinetics of Healing after Iterative Exeresis in the Rat. Action of a Triterpenoid and Its Derivatives on the Duration of Healing. C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D. 1978;286(10):789-92.

    Rosen H, Blumenthal A, McCallum J. Effect of Asiaticoside on Wound Healing in the Rat. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. May1967;125(1):279-80.

    Shukla A, Rasik AM, Dhawan BN. Asiaticoside-induced Elevation of Antioxidant Levels in Healing Wounds. Phytother Res. Feb1999;13(1):50-4.

    Young GL, Jewell D. Creams for Preventing Stretch Marks in Pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD000066.

    Widgerow AD, Chait LA, Stals R, et al. New Innovations in Scar Management. Aesthetic Plast Surg. May2000;24(3):227-34.

    Allegra C. Comparative Capillaroscopic Study of Certain Bioflavonoids and Total Triterpenic Fractions of Centella asiatica in Venous Insufficiency. Clin Ter. 1981;99:507-13.

    Tenni R, et al. Effect of the Triterpenoid Fraction of Centella asiatica on Macromolecules of the Connective Matrix in Human Skin Fibroblast Cultures. Ital J Biochem. 1988;37(2):69-77.

    Darnis F, et al. Use of a Titrated Extract of Centella asiatica in Chronic Hepatic Disorders. Sem Hop. 1979;55(37-38):1749-50.

    Cesarone MR, Laurora G, De Sanctis MT, et al. Activity of Centella asiatica in Venous Insufficiency. Minerva Cardioangiol. Apr1992;40(4):137-43.

    Cesarone MR, Laurora G, De Sanctis MT, et al. The Microcirculatory Activity of Centella asiatica in Venous Insufficiency. A Double-blind Study. Minerva Cardioangiol. Jun1994;42(6):299-304.

    Belcaro GV, Grimaldi R, Guidi G. Improvement of Capillary Permeability in Patients with Venous Hypertension after Treatment with TTFCA. Angiology. Jul1990;41(7):533-40.

    De Sanctis MT, Incandela L, Cesarone MR, et al. Acute Effects of TTFCA on Capillary Filtration in Severe Venous Hypertension. Panminerva Med. Jun1994;36(2):87-90.

    Ramaswamy AS, et al. Pharmacological Studies on Centella asiatica. Linn. J Res Indian Med. 1970;4:160-75.

    Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, et al. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study on the Effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on Acoustic Startle Response in Healthy Subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol. Dec2000;20(6):680-4.

    Yoosook C, Bunyapraphatsara N, Boonyakiat Y, et al. Anti-herpes Simplex Virus Activities of Crude Water Extracts of Thai Medicinal Plants. Phytomedicine. Jan2000;6(6):411-9.

    Reviewed and submitted on February 29, 2004