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Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.

Summary
Indian pennywort is commonly known as Gotu kola and belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is a cure to stomach ailments. Gotu kola has the potentiality to decrease inflammation and improve collagen. Asiaticoside, a bioactive marker extracted from C. asiatica can inhibit lipopolysaccharide mediated fever and TNF-α and IL-6 production.

Mode of Consumption : Raw, sauteed, fried and cooked
Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.
Family: Apiaceae Lindl.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Apiales
Genus: Centella L.
Fruiting Season: Throughtout the year
Parts: Whole plant
  • The North-Eastern Hill Region
  • The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • The Western Coastal Region
  • The Maharashtra Plateau Region & The Western Coastal Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Lower Ganga Plain Region
 Assam : Manimuni
Bihar : Chokiora
Kerala : Kodagam
Maharashtra : Karinga, Karivana
Tamil Nadu : Vallari
West Bengal : Brahammanduki, Thankuni, Tholkuri

Leafy plant
Compound/Extract Activity Mode of Action Marker/References
Ethanolic extractNeuroprotectiveC. asiatica treatment for 8 days significantly improved locomotor activity, anti-anxiety like effect and attenuated oxidative damage and TNF-α level as compared to sleep-deprived 72-h group in mice.TNF-α[1]
Asiaticoside-GAnti-inflammatoryAsiaticoside-G modulated the production of nitric oxide and TNF-α in activated RAW 264.7 cells.TNF-α[2]
Ethanolic ExtractAnti-inflammatory, NeuroprotectiveLower TNF-α and higher Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus support the hypothesis that these factors independently contribute to C. asiatica’s neuroprotective effect in chronically stressed rats.TNF-α, and BDNF[3]
AsiaticosideAnti-inflammatoryAsiaticoside can inhibit lipopolysaccharide induced fever and inflammatory response, including TNF-α and IL-6 production.TNF-α, and IL-6[4]
Ethanol extractAnti-inflammatoryC. asiatica treatment enhanced anti-fibrotic mRNA expression of both BMP-7 and HGF in Chronic kidney disease. It also demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibition of inflammatory factors, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α.BMP-7, HGF, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α[5]
MadecassosideAnti-inflammatoryAnti-inflammatory effect of Madecassoside in mice with C. asiatica may be associated with the inhibition of the production of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2 and the expressionof COX-2, as well as the upregulation of the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Madecassoside inhibited the activation of Caspase-3 and p38 MAPK. It significantly inhibited UV-induced melanin synthesis and melanosome transfer by suppressing PAR-2 expression and its signaling pathway involving COX-2, PGE2 and PGF2α in Keratinocytes. It is also associated with the inhibition of p-cMET, p-ERK1/2 and PKC activity.TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, Caspase-3, p38 MAPK, PAR-2, COX-2, PGE2, PGF2α, p-cMET, p-ERK1/2, and PKC[7]
Asiatic acidAnti-inflammatoryAsiatic acid inhibited p38 MAPK and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, block IL-1 activated NF-κB signaling, and suppress PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Asiatic acid also inhibited TGF-β I- induced collagen type I and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression, while increasing Smad7 protein level in KFs via activation of PPARγ.[7]
Leaf extractHepatoprotectiveC. asiatica decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL‑1β, IL‑6, TNF‑α, and other inflammatory cytokines and mediators in parallel with decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines in dimethylnitrosamine induced liver injury.IL‑1β, IL‑6, and TNF‑α[8]
Aqueous extractImmunomodulatoryIn human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), aqueous extract significantly increased proliferation and the production of IL-2 and TNF-α.IL-2 and TNF-α[9]
Major Class Metabolites (Content of bioactives: mg/100g Fresh Weight)
TriterpenoidAsiatic acid: , Asiaticoside-G: , Brahmoside: , Madecassic acid: , Madecassoside: [7]
Effect Observation DOI
Disease Formulation Reference Author TKDL
Venereal disease, Urinary disorders / PolyuriaVallarai ChooranamAgathiyar vaithia kaviyam,1500AgasthiyarSiddha
Trachoma, Adherent leucoma / Corneal opacity, Cyst of Zeis gland, Iris prolapse / Anterior staphyloma, Inflammatory condition of the eye lid, Acute Mucopurulent conjunctivitis / Allergic conjunctivitis, Falling of eye lashes / MadarosisVallarai MaiAgathiyar nayanavithi 500AgasthiyarSiddha
Information from Wealth of India Reference
  • The plant is considered as diuretic, alternative medicine and tonic.
  • An infusion of the plant is used to cure leprosy and is known to improve the general health of the patient and symptoms of the disease.
  • It contains Ascorbic acid 13.8 mg/100g.
  • It also contains Asiaticoside (rhamnose- glucose derivative of triterpene acid, asiatic acid), which is used in the treatment of leprosy.
 CSIR(1950).The Wealth of India, Raw materials,Vol.- II,P.116-118, New Delhi, India
4.2, 04.2.1, 04.2.1.1, 04.2.1.3, 04.2.2.3, 04.2.2.5, 04.2.2.8
    CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
    CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India