Centella asiatica
Family: Apiaceae
Gotu kola is the go-to herb to help elderly adults improve memory, and multiple human studies have shown increased cognitive measure. It may also be effective in improving blood flow associated with varicose veins and edema.
RESEARCH
The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.
GENERAL
- Natural Medicines (2015). Gotu Kola Monograph. Retrieved in July, 2016. Retrieved from www.naturalmedicines.com
- Petersen, D. (2016). Course Material. HERB503, Advanced Herbal Materia Medica II. American College of Healthcare Sciences. www.achs.edu.
- Prakash, V., JAISWAL, N., & SRIVASTAVA, M. (2017). A review on medicinal properties of Centella asiatica. Asian J Pharm Clin Res, 10(10), 69-74.
- Hamidpour, R., Hamidpour, S., Hamidpour, M., Zarabi, M., Sohraby, M., & Hamidpour, R. (2015). Medicinal Property of Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) from the Selection of Traditional Applications to the Novel Phytotherapy. Archives in Cancer Research, 3(4).
ANXIOLYTIC
- In a placebo controlled study, gotu kola has anxiolytic activity in humans related to measurements of acoustic startle response. From: Bradwejn, J., Zhou, Y., Koszycki, D., & Shlik, J. (2000). A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 20(6), 680-684.
- Anxiety, stress, and depression were significantly reduced in 33 participants who took a gotu kola supplement twice daily for 60 days. From: Jana, U., Sur, T. K., Maity, L. N., Debnath, P. K., & Bhattacharyya, D. (2010). A clinical study on the management of generalized anxiety disorder with Centella asiatica. Nepal Med Coll J, 12(1), 8-11.
ANTICONVULSANT
- Gotu kola demonstrated anticonvulsant activity in rats. From: Visweswari, G., Prasad, K. S., Chetan, P. S., Lokanatha, V., & Rajendra, W. (2010). Evaluation of the anticonvulsant effect of Centella asiatica (gotu kola) in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures with respect to cholinergic neurotransmission. Epilepsy & Behavior, 17(3), 332-335.
MEMORY ENHANCEMENT / COGNITION
- The study determines the molecular mechanism of Gotu Kola on neuroprotection and memory enhancement in rats. From: Xu, Y., Cao, Z., Khan, I., & Luo, Y. (2008). Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) extract enhances phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein in neuroblastoma cells expressing amyloid beta peptide. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 13(3), 341-349.
- Gotu kola improved memory in 28 healthy elderly participants. From: Wattanathorn, J., Mator, L., Muchimapura, S., Tongun, T., Pasuriwong, O., Piyawatkul, N., … & Singkhoraard, J. (2008). Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 116(2), 325-332.
- A study of 41 healthy middle aged adults showed significantly improved cognitive performance as measured using the Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Abilities Test III. From: Dev, R. D. O. (2009). Comparison on cognitive effects of Centella asiatica in healthy middle age female and male volunteers. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 55, 709.
- In a six month study of 60 elderly, gotu kola given twice a day improved cognition measured by the Mini Mental State Examination. From; Tiwari, S., Singh, S., Patwardhan, K., Gehlot, S., & Gambhir, I. S. (2008). Effect of Centella asiatica on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and other common age-related clinical problems. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures, 3(4), 215-220.
VARICOSE VEINS
- The following herbs have shown useful in treating varicose veins, horse chestnut seed extract, gotu kola, apple cider vinegar, butcher’s broom, garlic, tomatoes, grapeseed extract, and citrus fruit. From: Mor, D., & Dande, P. (2017). VARICOSE VEINS: AN OVERVIEW OF CURRENT AND HERBAL TREATMENTS. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 8(5), 1959.
SKIN
- A double blind clinical study of 25 women using a cream containing rosemary and gotu kola extracts for 4 weeks demonstrated improved skin firmness. From: Sommerfeld, B. (2007). Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, split-face study on the clinical efficacy of Tricutan® on skin firmness. Phytomedicine, 14(11), 711-715.
URINARY SYSTEM
- In this in vitro study, 47 herbs traditionally used to treat urinary and kidney disfunction were tested for their antioxidant potential and toxicity. Angelica sinensis, Centella asiatica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Scutellaria lateriflora, and Olea europaea all showed strong antioxidant action, while Dioscorea villosa showed significant renal toxicity. From: Wojcikowski, K., Wohlmuth, H., Johnson, D. W., Rolfe, M., & Gobe, G. (2009). An in vitro investigation of herbs traditionally used for kidney and urinary system disorders: potential therapeutic and toxic effects. Nephrology, 14(1), 70-79.
Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski
Updated: 9/13/19
