Gotu Kola - Description
Centella asiatica, commonly known as Gotu Kola, Indian pennywort, or mandukparni, is a clonal, perennial herbaceous creeper from the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) family.
It thrives in moist, swampy areas across tropical and subtropical regions, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa, South Pacific, and Eastern Europe, up to an altitude of 1800 m.
The plant features small, fan-shaped green leaves, white or light purple-to-pink flowers, and small oval fruit. It is tasteless, odorless, and used entirely for medicinal purposes.
There are two types of Gotukola based on its growth habit
- Bush type
- Vine Type
There are three types of vine type Gotukola according to the size of leaves.
- Type with large leaves (Giant Gotukola)
- Type with medium size leaves (Meerigama selection). This is the most commercially grown Gotukola type and taste is good
- Types with small leaves (WelGotukola)
Reference
Gotu Kola - Traditional Use
Gotu Kola has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine and is listed in the ancient Indian text ‘Sushruta Samhita.’ In India, it is revered for revitalizing nerves and brain cells, treating emotional disorders like depression, and promoting longevity.
In China, it is known as a “miracle elixir of life.” Traditionally, it has been used for wound healing, skin conditions (e.g., leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, psoriasis), diarrhea, fever, amenorrhea, female genitourinary disorders, and as a blood purifier.
It has also been employed as a sedative, anxiolytic, and cognitive enhancer in Eastern cultures.
Gotu Kola - Active Constituents
The primary active constituents are triterpenoid saponins, including asiaticosides (linked to asiatic acid), madecassoside, and madasiatic acid, which are responsible for wound healing and vascular effects.
Other components include brahmoside and brahminoside (potentially linked to CNS and uterorelaxant effects), glycosides (isothankuniside, thankuniside) with antifertility action, plant sterols (campesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol derivatives), tannins (20-25%), essential oils (0.1%), mucilages, resins, free amino acids (alanine, serine, etc.), an alkaloid (hydrochotine), a bitter component (vallerine), and fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic). Reference
Gotu Kola - Modes Of Action
- Wound Healing: Asiaticosides enhance collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and tensile strength, promoting faster epithelialization and wound contraction. They also inhibit inflammatory processes and improve capillary permeability.
- Venous Insufficiency: Strengthens connective tissues, reduces capillary filtration, and improves microcirculatory parameters, aiding conditions like venous hypertension and scleroderma.
- CNS Effects: Brahmoside and brahminoside may bind to cholecystokinin receptors, contributing to sedative and anxiolytic effects. Total triterpenes reduce corticosterone levels and increase monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT, NE, DA), supporting antidepressant effects.
- Antiepileptic: Increases cerebral GABA levels, reducing seizure activity and improving cognitive deficits in kindled rats.
- Cognitive and Antioxidant: Enhances CREB phosphorylation, increases antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, GSHPx), and protects against oxidative stress and beta-amyloid toxicity, potentially benefiting Alzheimer’s disease.
- Gastric Ulcer: Strengthens the gastric mucosal barrier, increases mucin secretion, and reduces free radical damage.
- Anti-inflammatory and Antinociceptive: Inhibits nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2, reducing inflammation and pain.
- Radioprotection: Mitigates radiation-induced behavioral changes and weight loss.
- Antiviral and Antitumor: Exhibits activity against herpes simplex viruses and inhibits tumor cell growth in ascites models.
Reference
Scientific Evidence and Studies
- Wound Healing: Preclinical studies in rats show aqueous extracts increase collagen synthesis, tensile strength, and epithelialization. Clinical studies with titrated extracts (TECA, TTFCA) confirm enhanced collagen production and angiogenesis.
- Venous Insufficiency: Clinical trials (e.g., 94 patients treated with 60-120 mg/day TECA) show reduced edema and improved microcirculation. A study with 52 patients confirmed dose-dependent improvements in capillary filtration and ankle edema.
- Cognitive and Mood: A placebo-controlled study (28 participants, 250-750 mg/day) showed improved cognitive function and mood, especially at 750 mg. Another study in 60 elderly subjects (1000 mg/day) improved MMSE scores and depression.
- Anxiolytic: A double-blind study confirmed anxiolytic effects, potentially via cholecystokinin receptor binding.
- Gastric Ulcer: Animal studies show protection against ethanol- and stress-induced ulcers, comparable to famotidine, by enhancing mucosal defenses.
- Antiepileptic: Aqueous extracts (100-300 mg/kg) reduced seizure scores and cognitive deficits in PTZ-kindled rats.
- Anti-inflammatory: Aqueous extracts (10-300 mg/kg) showed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rodent models, comparable to aspirin.
- Radioprotection: A 100 mg/kg dose increased survival time in mice exposed to gamma radiation.
Reference
Gotu Kola - Dosage
- Oral: 600 mg dried leaves daily (tea or capsules), or 60 mg standardized extract (up to 100% triterpenoids) once or twice daily. Capsules: 300-680 mg, three times daily. Tincture: 10-20 ml/day. Fluid extract: 3-5 ml/day.
- Topical: Ointments or gels applied 1-2 times daily (e.g., Madecassol 10 mg tablets or Emdecassol ointment).
- Duration: Use for up to 6 weeks, followed by a 2-week break to avoid potential toxicity.
Gotu Kola - Safety and Contraindications
- Side Effects: Rare but include skin irritation, burning (topical), headache, stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness (high oral doses). Contact dermatitis and allergic reactions (subcutaneous injections) reported. Overdose may cause headaches or transient unconsciousness.
- Contraindications: Avoid during pregnancy (potential abortifacient) and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data). Not recommended for prolonged use (>6 weeks) due to potential toxicity from slowed metabolism of active constituents.
- Herb-Drug Interactions: No documented interactions, but high doses may enhance sedation with CNS depressants. Theoretical interference with blood glucose or cholesterol-lowering drugs.
- Precautions: Monitor for allergic reactions. Intramuscular injections (40-50 mg/kg) showed toxicity in animals; oral doses up to 1 mg/kg asiaticoside are safe.
Conclusion
Centella asiatica is a versatile medicinal herb with a long history of use in Ayurvedic and Eastern traditions. Its triterpenoid saponins, particularly asiaticosides, drive its efficacy in wound healing, venous insufficiency, cognitive enhancement, and anti-inflammatory applications.
Preclinical and clinical studies support its role in skin repair, microcirculation improvement, neuroprotection, and mood enhancement, with ongoing research exploring diabetic neuropathy.
While generally safe in recommended doses, prolonged use or high doses may lead to side effects, and caution is advised in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Preclinical and clinical studies support its role in skin repair, microcirculation improvement, neuroprotection, and mood enhancement, with ongoing research exploring diabetic neuropathy.
While generally safe in recommended doses, prolonged use or high doses may lead to side effects, and caution is advised in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
