Gotu Kola herb health benefit, side effects, supplement extracts, Centella Asiatica plant medical uses and dosage

Gotu kola is a medicinal plant that has been used since prehistoric times. Centella asiatica is used in folk medicine to treat a wide range of medical conditions. This herb has been subjected to quite extensive experimental and clinical investigations. It has a positive effect in the treatment of venous insufficiency and striae gravidarum. Centella asiatica also appears to be effective in the treatment of wound healing disturbances. At the present time, clinical studies aimed at investigating the sedative, analgesic, antidepressive, antimicrobial, antiviral and immune system effects that have been demonstrated experimentally, are still lacking. However, the therapeutic potential of this plant in terms of its efficacy and versatility is such that further detailed research would appear worthwhile.

Composition of leaf
Its active constituents include pentacyclic triterpene derivatives. Studies have been conducted in particular to investigate the madecassosides and asiaticosides. Centella asiatica leaf also has high concentration of total phenolic compounds, in particular, catechin, quercetin, and rutin.

Supplements over the counter
There are many types of gotu kola supplements in health food stores and online.

Organic Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) leaf 200 mg
Gotu Kola, 100 Capsules, 435mg
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) (leaf) 450 mg
Gotu Kola herb 475 mg

Standardized Gotu kola herb extract (10% asiaticosides) 300 mg
Organic Gotu Kola Supercritical extract (CO2) 100:1 Extract Ratio 30 mg., along with Organic Gotu Kola PSE extract 10% Saponins 510 mg., and Organic Gotu Kola raw herb powder 365 mg.

Human studies with Centella Asiatica

Mind and mood
Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Mar 5; Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S, Tongun T, Pasuriwong O, Piyawatkul N, Yimtae K, Sripanidkulchai B, Singkhoraard J.
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Centella asiatica has a reputation to restore decline cognitive function in traditional medicine and in animal model. However, little evidence regarding the efficacy of Centella asiatica from systematized trials is available. Therefore, the present randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study investigated the effect of Centella asiatica on cognitive function of healthy elderly volunteer. Twenty-eight healthy elderly participants received the plant extract at various doses ranging 250, 500 and 750 mg once daily for 2 months. The results showed that the high dose of the plant extract enhanced working memory and increased N100 component amplitude of event-related potential. Improvements of self-rated mood were also found following the Centella asiatica treatment. Therefore, the present findings suggest the potential of gotu kola herb to attenuate the age-related decline in cognitive function and mood disorder in the healthy elderly.

Veins and arteries
Gotu kola has an influence on blood vessels, venous hypertension, venous insufficiency, and diabetic microangiopathy

Total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in chronic venous insufficiency and in high-perfusion microangiopathy.
Angiology. 2001 Oct; Incandela L, Cesarone MR, Cacchio M, De Sanctis MT, Santavenere C, D'Auro MG, Bucci M, Belcaro G. Vascular Unit, Ealing Hospital, London, UK.
Total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica is effective in improving venous wall alterations in chronic venous hypertension and in protecting the venous endothelium. Centella asiatica extracts are 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. This is due to the modulating action of Centella asiatica extracts on fibroblasts as shown by experiments on the growth of human embryonal fibroblasts. Centella asiatica extract has a moderate in-vitro and in-vivo stimulating effect on collagen synthesis and, at higher dosages, an inhibition on the synthesis of collagen and acid mucopolysaccharides. Studies have indicated the role of gotu kola extracts on the synthesis of specific venous wall elements by cell cultures of human embryonal fibroblasts. The tissue-stimulating action is shown by the increased collagen production independent from the stimulation of cell proliferation (this differentiates the action of gotu kola extracts from cell growth factors). Gotu kola extracts are active on the microcirculation in venous and diabetic microangiopathy. Signs and symptoms of venous hypertension and edema are improved by treatment. Several actions of gotu kola extracts in vascular diseases makes the use of this herb interesting in venous and arterial problems.

Total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in the treatment of venous hypertension: a clinical, prospective, randomized trial using a combined microcirculatory model.
Angiology. 2001 Oct; Incandela L, Belcaro G, De Sanctis MT, Cesarone MR, Griffin M, Ippolito E, Bucci M, Cacchio M. Irvine Vascular Laboratory, St Mary's Hospital and Imperial College, London, UK.
A single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was performed on the effects of different doses of the total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in patients with venous hypertensive microangiopathy. A combined microcirculatory model that considers laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and transcutaneous oxygen (PO2), transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) measurements was combined with the symptom evaluation. LDF tests included the baseline resting flow, the venoarteriolar reflex, and the variation of flow related to the temperature increase. All tests provided a significant difference between drug-treated groups and the placebo group, thereby allowing a distinction to be made between the higher (120 mg daily) and the lower (60 mg daily) dose of gotu kola extract. Based on our results, gotu kola triterpenic fractions display significant activity. Doses as high as 120 mg daily may be safely used in venous hypertension.

Evaluation of treatment of diabetic microangiopathy with total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica: a clinical prospective randomized trial with a microcirculatory model.
Angiology. 2001 Oct; Cesarone MR, Incandela L, De Sanctis MT, Belcaro G, Bavera P, Bucci M, Ippolito E. Irvine Vascular Laboratory, St Mary's Hospital and Imperial College, London, UK.
Fifty patients with diabetic microangiopathy were studied by laser Doppler flowmetry (measuring skin blood flow at rest) (RF) and the venoarteriolar response. Thirty of these patients were treated for 6 months with total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica (60 mg twice daily), a drug active on microcirculation and capillary permeability. A control group of ten patients was treated with placebo and another group of ten patients was left without treatment thus acting as a second control group. After six months there were no significant changes in the two control groups. There was a significant improvement of microcirculatory parameter in patients treated with Centella asiatica. Blood flow at rest (abnormally increased at the beginning of the treatment) decreased. According to these data, gotu kola extract is useful in diabetic microangiopathy by improving microcirculation and decreasing capillary permeability.