Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu kola, is a plant belonging to the botanical family Apiaceae widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Southeast Asian countries for its medicinal properties. 

What it is for and where

Medical

Research has shown that Centella asiatica and its triterpenoids possess a wide range of beneficial effects, particularly on neurological and skin diseases (1). These effects include anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidative stress, anti-apoptotic actions, and improvements in mitochondrial function.

The plant has been used in the treatment of various health problems and is also consumed as an edible vegetable. Its ease of availability and low-cost cultivation make it popular in ethno-medicinal healthcare systems. Phytochemical analyses have revealed that Centella asiatica contains bioactive compounds that demonstrate pharmacological effects and health benefits, some of which have been confirmed in preclinical and clinical studies. These findings support the principles of folk treatment in different countries.

Furthermore, Centella asiatica extracts (CAE) have shown activity in tissue regeneration, cell migration, and wound repair processes. This is achieved by promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. Asiatic acid, a main active constituent of Centella asiatica, is directly associated with its healing activity. This highlights the plant's potential in the treatment of various skin diseases and in wound healing.

Overall, Centella asiatica holds significant therapeutic potential, with a range of applications in treating diseases and in cosmetic formulations. However, more clinical studies are needed to further validate these benefits and understand the molecular mechanisms involved.

Cosmetics

In terms of cosmetic use, Centella asiatica-derived ingredients, primarily functioning as skin conditioning agents, have been assessed for safety. The conclusion is that these ingredients are safe for use in cosmetics under current practices and concentrations, provided they are formulated to be non-sensitizing. Centella Asiatica contains various bioactive compounds, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, and asiatic acid, which contribute to the skin health benefits.

Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture Extract Industrial Production Process

• Cultivation of Centella Asiatica meristem cells in a controlled environment. During growth, these cells can produce unique bioactive compounds.
• Extraction. Once the cells have reached the desired maturity, bioactive compounds are extracted using appropriate techniques, such as solvent use or physical extraction methods.
• Purification. After extraction, the solution containing the bioactive compounds is purified to remove impurities and solvent residues.
• Quality Control. The Centella Asiatica meristem cell culture extract undergoes quality testing to ensure it meets the required standards in terms of purity and concentration of bioactive compounds.

INCI Functions:

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Form and Color. 

Centella Asiatica extract is typically a liquid or a powder. The color can range from light green to brown, depending on the concentration and extraction method.

CAS   84696-21-9

EC number   283-640-5

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Razali NNM, Ng CT, Fong LY. Cardiovascular Protective Effects of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review. Planta Med. 2019 Nov;85(16):1203-1215. doi: 10.1055/a-1008-6138. Epub 2019 Sep 20. PMID: 31539918.

Abstract. Centella asiatica, a triterpene-rich medicinal herb, is traditionally used to treat various types of diseases including neurological, dermatological, and metabolic diseases. A few articles have previously reviewed a broad range of pharmacological activities of C. asiatica, but none of these reviews focuses on the use of C. asiatica in cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize recent findings on protective effects of C. asiatica and its active constituents (asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and madecassoside) in cardiovascular diseases. In addition, their beneficial effects on conditions associated with cardiovascular diseases were also reviewed. Articles were retrieved from electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords "Centella asiatica," "asiatic acid," "asiaticoside," "madecassic acid," and "madecassoside." The articles published between 2004 and 2018 that are related to the aforementioned topics were selected. A few clinical studies published beyond this period were also included. The results showed that C. asiatica and its active compounds possess potential therapeutic effects in cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular disease-related conditions, as evidenced by numerous in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. C. asiatica and its triterpenes have been reported to exhibit cardioprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In conclusion, more clinical and pharmacokinetic studies are needed to support the use of C. asiatica and its triterpenes as therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases. Besides, elucidation of the molecular pathways modulated by C. asiatica and its active constituents will help to understand the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective action of C. asiatica.

(2) Diniz LRL, Calado LL, Duarte ABS, de Sousa DP. Centella asiatica and Its Metabolite Asiatic Acid: Wound Healing Effects and Therapeutic Potential. Metabolites. 2023 Feb 14;13(2):276. doi: 10.3390/metabo13020276. 

Abstract. An intense effort has been focused on new therapeutic approaches and the development of technologies for more efficient and rapid wound healing. The research for plants used for long time in traditional medicine in the treatment of wound has become a promising strategy to obtain drugs therapeutically useful in the acute and chronic wound management. In this context, Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) has been used to treat a variety of skin diseases, such as leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema and psoriasis, in Asiatic traditional medicine for thousands of years. Studies have shown that Centella asiatica extracts (CAE) display activity in tissue regeneration, cell migration and wound repair process by promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. Preliminary findings have shown that the asiatic acid is one of the main active constituents of C. asiatica, directly associated with its healing activity. Thus, this study discusses aspects of the effects of Centella asiatica and its active component, asiatic acid, in different stages of the healing process of cutaneous wounds, including phytochemical and antimicrobial aspects that contribute to its therapeutic potential.