Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

• Description and origin

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.) is a climbing plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is indigenous to India and is known for its fan-shaped leaves and tiny white flowers (1). It grows in wet areas, on the banks of lakes and in tropical and subtropical climate regions (2).

• History

Gotu kola has traditionally been used in Asia for wounds, leprosy and psoriasis, for increase longevity, revitalise nerve cells and for depression. In Ayurvedic medicine, it has been used for thousands of years to improve memory and cognitive function and features in the classic ancient text: "Sushruta Samhita" (3).

• Composition

The active principles of gotu kola are triterpene saponins, primarily asiaticoside and madecassoside. It also contains tannins, mucilages, essential oil, free amino acids, flavonoids and fatty acids (4).

• Our extract

Extract name: Dry extract of gotu kola standardised to contain 20% triterpenes, 8% asiaticoside and 5.5% madecassoside

Scientific name: Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.

Part used: Above-ground parts

• Benefits

The main uses of gotu kola extract are the relief of venous insufficiency, varicose veins, avoid the formation of keloids and hypertrophic scars, improving cognitive function and as an anxiolytic.

• Usage, dosage

One dose of our product (2 capsules) contains 40 mg of triterpenes, 16 mg of asiaticoside and 11 mg of madecassoside.

• Studies/research

Gotu kola is used in cases of venous insufficiency by strengthening the veins, maintaining balance in connective tissue and improving microcirculation (3). Various studies have found gotu kola extract to improve microcirculation in cases of venous hypertension and venous hypertensive microangiopathy, and to reduce increased capillary filtration in patients with venous hypertension (5). It is recommended in case of varicose veins and studies have found it to be effective in helping to avoid the occurrence of oedema and microcirculation problems that can occur during long flights (6). Along with these properties, gotu kola extract has also been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to relieve arthritic pain.

• Bibliography

1. Diccionario de plantas medicinales (Dictionary of medicinal plants). Cebrián J (2012) RBA libros, Barcelona.

2. Producción de saponinas triterpénicas en cultivos in vitro de Centella asiatica (Production of triterpene saponins in in vitro cultures of Centella asiatica). Mangas (2009) Universitat de Barcelona, Facultat de Farmàcia.

3. Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all. Gohil et al. (2010) Indian J Pharm Sci 72(5): 546–556.

4. Fitoterapia. Vademécum de prescripción. [Phytotherapy. Prescription handbook] Vanaclocha and Cañigueral (2010) Elsevier España.

5. A systematic review of the efficacy of Centella asiatica for improvement of the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Chong and Aziz (2013) Evidence-Based Complement Alternat Med 2013. Article ID 627182, 10 pages.

6. Flight microangiopathy in medium- to long-distance flights: prevention of edema and microcirculation alterations with total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica. Cesarone et al. (2001) Angiology 52 Supple2:S33-7.

7. Attenuation of collagen induced arthritis by Centella asiatica methanol fraction via modulation of cytokines and oxidative stress. Sharma et al. (2014) Biomed Environment Sci 27(12): 926-938.