Herb Of The Week - Gotu Kola

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Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Zhion, Feb 2, 2005

Recent studies demonstrated that Gotu kola destroyed cultured tumor

cells in the laboratory setting (in vitro), promoted wound healing and

more. This article highlights certain interesting research findings.

 

 

 

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Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a slender, creeping plant that

grows in swampy areas of India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa and

the tropics. Because gotu kola's leaves are about the size of an old

British penny, people also called it as Indian pennywort, marsh penny

and water pennywort. Gotu Kola is considered as a spiritual herb in

Ayurveda and it is used to improve meditation and to revitalize the

nerves and brain cells. Some people believe that it can help develop the

crown charka, the energy center at the top of the head. In modern herbal

medication, Gotu Kola is always associated with brain elevation.

 

EARLY STUDIES As early as in 1950s, Ratsimamanga AR and his group

studied the possible therapeutics uses of gotu kola on refractory

wounds, such as leprosy, lupus and ulcers.[1-3]. Fincato M and Antonelli

NS groups also conducted similar studies [4-5]. While, Rahandraha et al

studied its components extensively [6,7]. Boiteau P and Chanez M even

isolated a new triterpenic acid from gotu kola [8]. Gotu kola's key

ingredient is asiatic acid, which is a pentacyclic triterpene [9]

 

RECENT RESEARCH FINDINGS - gotu kola

 

GOTU KOLA's ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITY

 

Jayashree G et al, MG University, India, found that oral treatment with

crude methanol extract of gotu kola for 14 days significantly increased

the anti-oxidant enzymes, like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and

glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and anti-oxidants like glutathione (GSH)

and ascorbic acid decreased in lymphoma-bearing mice. [Fitoterapia. 2003

Jul;74(5):431-4].

 

VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

 

Pointel JP et al, recruited 94 patients suffering from venous

insufficiency of the lower limbs participated in a multicenter,

double-blind versus placebo study. They found improvements in symptoms

of heaviness in the lower limbs and edema in the group treated with

titrated extract of gotu kola [Angiology. 1987 Jan;38(1 Pt 1):46-50].

 

In 2001, Incandela L et al, Ealing Hospital, London, pointed out that

total triterpenic fraction of gotu kola is effective in improving venous

wall alterations in chronic venous hypertension and in protecting the

venous endothelium in their review article. They further elaborated that

total triterpenic fraction of gotu kola is active on connective tissue

modulation, improves the synthesis of collagen and other tissue proteins

by modulating the action of fibroblasts in the vein wall, and stimulates

collagen remodeling in and around the venous wall. They also suggested

the use of this fraction in venous hypertension and edema or protection

against the deterioration of microcirculation (due to diabetic

microangiopathy). [Angiology. 2001 Oct;52 Suppl 2:S9-13, Angiology. 2001

Oct;52 Suppl 2:S61-7, Angiology. 2001 Oct;52 Suppl 2:S55-9, Angiology.

2001 Oct;52 Suppl 2:S49-54]

 

 

WOUND HEALING

 

In 1988, Tenni R et al, Dipartimento di Biochimica, Universita di Pavia,

reported that the promoting wound healing action of gotu kola was

related to collagen and fibronectin, based on their human skin

fibroblast culture studies. [ital J Biochem. 1988 Mar-Apr;37(2):69-77].

 

In 1999, Shukla et al, Central Drug Research Institute, India, found

that topical Asiaticoside application twice daily for 7 days to

excision-type cutaneous wounds in rats led to increased enzymatic and

non-enzymatic antioxidants, namely superoxide dismutase (35%), catalase

(67%), glutathione peroxidase (49%), vitamin E (77%) and ascorbic acid

(36%) in newly formed tissues. Consequently, they thought the enhanced

induction of antioxidant levels at an initial stage of healing which may

be an important contributory factor in the healing properties of this

substance. [Phytother Res. 1999 Feb;13(1):50-4]

 

Lu L et al, Fudan University, Shanghai, found that asiaticoside induced

cell-cycle progression, proliferation and collagen synthesis in human

dermal fibroblasts. And, this extracellular matrix sysnthesis might be

related to certain gene expression. [int J Dermatol. 2004

Nov;43(11):801-7].

 

ANTI-HSV-II

 

Zheng MS found aqueous extract of gotu kola is high effective on

inhibition of HSV-II. [J Tradit Chin Med. 1989 Jun;9(2):113-6]

 

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT AND GASTRIC ULCER

 

Guo JS et al, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, investigated the

effects of gotu kola water extract (CE) and its active constituent,

asiaticoside (AC), on the expression and activity of inducible nitric

oxide synthase (iNOS) during gastric ulcer healing in rats. They found

that the reduction of the ulcer size was dose-dependent manner with a

concomitant attenuation of iNOS activity and protein expression at the

ulcer tissues. Consequently, they suggested that CE and gotu kola have

an anti-inflammatory property via inhibition of NO synthesis and thus

facilitates ulcer healing. [Planta Med. 2004 Dec;70(12):1150-4].

 

 

CANCER

 

GENERAL

 

Huang YH et al, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union

Medical College, Beijing, found that gotu kola (asiaticoside) was able

to induce apoptosis of tumor cells and enchance the anti-tumor

activities of vincristine. The cancer cells studied were KB, KBv200,

MCF-7, and MCF-7/ADM. [Ai Zheng. 2004 Dec;23(12):1599-604]

 

SKIN CANCER

 

Park BC et al, Yeungnam University, Korea, found asiatic acid (gotu

kola) induced apoptosis in SK-MEL-2 human melanoma cells via generation

of ROS, alteration of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspase-3, but

p53-independent. Consequently, they believe that asiatic acid (gotu

kola) may be a good candidate for the therapeutic intervention of human

skin cancer. [Cancer Lett. 2005 Jan 31;218(1):81-90].

 

GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA

 

Yoshida M et al, Fukuoka University, Japan prepared methanol extract

from the aerial parts of gotu kola. This extract contained ursolic acid

lactone, ursolic acid, pomolic acid,

2alpha,3alpha-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-epimaslinic acid,

asiatic acid, corosolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. They found that all

these compounds from gotu kola had antiproliferative activities against

human gastric adenocarcinoma (MK-1), human uterine carcinoma (HeLa), and

murine melanoma (B16F10) cells was estimated. [biol Pharm Bull. 2005

Jan;28(1):173-5]

 

UTERINE CARCINOMA

 

Yoshida M et al, Fukuoka University, Japan prepared methanol extract

from the aerial parts of gotu kola. This gotu kola extract contained

ursolic acid lactone, ursolic acid, pomolic acid,

2alpha,3alpha-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-epimaslinic acid,

asiatic acid, corosolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. They found that all

these compounds had antiproliferative activities against human gastric

adenocarcinoma (MK-1), human uterine carcinoma (HeLa), and murine

melanoma (B16F10) cells was estimated. [biol Pharm Bull. 2005

Jan;28(1):173-5]

 

HEART / LiVER PROTECTION

 

Gnanapragasam A et al, University of Madras, India, found that

pre-co-treatment with gotu kola (200 mg/kg of body wt/oral) extract

significantly prevented the alterations of the levels of serum makers

LDH, CPK, GOT and GPT for myocardial damage as well as several important

antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPx, GST during the treatment of

adriamycin. [Life Sci. 2004 Dec 17;76(5):585-97]

 

Ming ZJ et al, Suzhou University, Jiangsu, found that total glucosides

of gotu kola could improve the liver functions (in terms of serum ALT,

AST, HA) as well as liver fibrosis during the treatment with

dimethylnitrosamine in animal studies. [Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za

Zhi. 2004 Aug;24(8):731-4].

 

STOMACH (ULCER) PROTECTION

 

Sairam K et al, Banaras Hindu University, India, demonstrated the

protection of gotu kola juice against the ethanol-, aspirin-,

cold-restraint stress- and pyloric ligation induced gastric ulcers in

rats. Simultaneously, they also found increased mucin secretion. Thus,

they believed that the ulcer protective effect of gotu kola juice was

related to the strengthening of the mucosal defensive factors. [indian J

Exp Biol. 2001 Feb;39(2):137-42].

 

Cheng CL et al, The University of Hong Kong,, Hong Kong, induced gastric

ulcers (kissing ulcers) in rats with acetic acid (gotu kola). And, they

found that gotu kola water extract and Asiaticoside upregulated the

expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in the ulcer tissues.

Consequently, they suggested to use gotu kola and gotu kola's active

ingredient as anti-gastric ulcers drugs. [Life Sci. 2004 Mar

19;74(18):2237-49]

 

NEURON PROTECTION

 

Lee MK et al, Seoul National University, Korea, modified the chemical

structure of asiatic acid (from gotu kola) and obtained 36 derivatives

and they found three derivatives significantly mitigated the

neurotoxicity induced by glutamate in their screening system. The

neuroprotective activities of these 3 derivatives appeared to be more

powerful than that of asiatic acid itself. These 3 derivatives

significantly attenuated decreases in the levels of glutathione,

glutathione peroxidase and other enzymes, which participate in the

cellular defense mechanisms blunting oxidative stress. Furthermore, they

also significantly reduced the overproduction of NO induced by

glutamate. [Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2000

Jul-Aug;108(1-2):75-86]

 

Considering, oxidative stress or an impaired endogenous anti-oxidant

mechanism is an important factor for Alzheimer's disease and

Intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (IS) in rats has been likened to

sporadic AD in humans, Veerendra Kumar MH et al, All India Institute of

Medical Sciences, India, studied the effect of an aqueous extract of

gotu kola on IS- rats. They found that rats treated with gotu kola

showed a dose-dependent increase in cognitive behaviour. They concluded

that aqueous extract of C. asiatica is effective in preventing the

cognitive deficits, as well as the oxidative stress, caused by

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) streptozotocin in rats. [Clin Exp

Pharmacol Physiol. 2003 May-Jun;30(5-6):336-42]

 

RADIATION

 

Sharma et al, University of Rajasthan, India, found gotu kola dose

increased the survival time of the mice significantly, when the mice

were irradiated with Co 60 gamma radiation externally. [Phytother Res.

2002 Dec;16(8):785-6]

 

 

REFERENCES USED IN THE STUDIES IN THE EARLY STAGE

 

1. RATSIMAMANGA AR et al., Therapie. 1956;11(1):125-49.

2. RATSIMAMANGA AR et al., Lyon Med. 1957 Apr 28;89(17):389-95.

3. RATSIMAMANGA AR et al., Presse Med. 1958 Dec 6;66(86):1933 passim.

4. Fubcato M., Minerva Chir. 1960 Nov 30;15:1235-8.

5. Antonellic NS, Prensa Med Argent. 1961 Nov 24;48:3154-6.

6. RAHANDRAHA T et al, Ann Pharm Fr. 1963 Apr;21:313-20.

7. RAHANDRAHA T et al, Ann Pharm Fr. 1963 Jul-Aug;21:561-7.

8. Boiteau P et al, C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D. 1967 Jan

9;264(2):407-10.

9. Park BC et al, Cancer Lett. 2005 Jan 31;218(1):81-90

 

The above information is for your reference only. Please, consult your

doctor for any question.