♥Investigatory Project!♥

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Gotu Kola Compounds

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Gotu Kola Elements

2008-08-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/herb_library/gotu_kola.php

Gotu Kola

Herb Library

This Asian species is reputed to bring long life to the user. According to the Sinhalese proverb: "Two leaves a day will keep old age away."

As the story goes, people in Sri Lanka noticed that elephants, animals known for their longevity, included Centella leaves in their diet. Extrapolation suggested that this creeping herb of Southeast Asian swamps might be good for almost anything that could ail a human, as well.

In Sri Lanka it is eaten as a salad, and in Vietnam it is considered an edible weed. It has been part of Ayurvedic medicine for a long time.

C. asiatica also grows in Madagascar, parts of southern Africa, and some parts of China. In Chinese medicine, it is known as luo de da or ji xue cao and is used to lower fever, promote urination, and "detoxify" the body.

The leaves and other aboveground parts of the plant are used.

Active Ingredients

C. asiatica contains several saponins, including brahmoside and brahminoside, and a number of alkaloids.

Madecassoside and asiaticoside appear to contribute to the plant's medicinal activity. It also contains flavonols, amino acids, fatty acids, sterols, saccharides, and some mineral salts.

Uses

Gotu kola is traditionally used for high blood pressure and to treat nervous disorders.

Chinese research suggests that it slows heart rate as well as lowers blood pressure. It also has some antibacterial activity.

Gotu kola extract (as titrated extract of C. asiatica, or TECA) has been studied for its effect on varicose veins as well as on poor venous circulation in the legs.

The results suggest that the extract can stimulate the synthesis of collagen in the walls of the veins and help them hold their tone and function better.

Other traditional uses of C. asiatica include skin problems, rheumatism, jaundice, and fever. Tests of TECA in animals showed that topical application helped experimental wounds heal faster. Asiaticoside may be responsible.

TECA has also been observed in clinical settings, where it appears to speed healing of surgical incisions and skin ulcers. In one trial it was administered to patients with parasitic infections that damage the bladder. Three-fourths of these patients recovered well, with little or no bladder scarring.

Tantalizing test tube research suggests that a Centella extract can destroy cultured cancer cells. It is far too soon, however, to determine whether it will be useful as an anticancer agent. Animal and eventually clinical studies will be needed.

Madecassoside has anti-inflammatory properties. In a small French study, a few patients with chronic liver disease had measurable improvement while using TECA. The majority of the patients in this group did not benefit, however.

High doses of the extract have a sedative effect on small animals.

Animal research also indicates that some gotu kola constituents can reduce fertility. Although the plant has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, no research supports this use.

Dose

Beyond the proverbial two fresh leaves a day, dosage information is limited.

The usual dose is 0.5 to 1 g three times a day.

The tea is made by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over teaspoon of dried leaves and steeping for ten minutes.

Standardized extract: 60 to 120 mg per day.

Fluid extract (1:1): 2 to 4 ml daily.

C. asiatica should not be used for more than six weeks consecutively.

Special Precautions

Pregnant women should avoid using this plant.

This herb is not appropriate for people with epilepsy.

Because of the possibility of photosensitivity, fair-skinned people and those who have reacted badly to sunlight while taking other medications should avoid sunshine, tanning lamps, and other sources of ultraviolet light while taking gotu kola.

Adverse Effects

Few side effects have been reported.

Contact dermatitis (skin rash) has occurred in some people using TECA topically.

Others, receiving the extract as a subcutaneous injection, developed pain and discoloration at the injection site. At least one person ingesting gotu kola experienced rash over the entire body.

This plant may make susceptible people more sensitive to sunburn and sun damage.

One component of C. asiatica, asiaticoside, may be a skin carcinogen.

Repeated topical application of the extract is not recommended.

Possible Interactions

At high doses, C. asiatica may interfere with oral diabetes medicines.

Gotu kola may raise cholesterol levels and should not be combined with cholesterol-lowering medications such as Lipitor, Lopid, Mevacor, niacin, or Zocor.

It is not known if the sedative effects of gotu kola are synergistic with those of other agents that promote sleep or reduce anxiety. It would be best not to mix C. asiatica with alcohol or drugs such as Ativan, Valium, or Xanax until this is determined.

1.)Saponins are the glycosides of 27 carbon atom steroids, or 30 carbon atom triterpenes in plants. They are found in various parts of the plant: leaves, stems, roots, bulbs, blossom, and fruit. They are characterized by their bitter taste, and their ability to hemolyze red blood cells. The botanical family Sapindaceae with its defining member, the genus Sapindus (soapberry) or (soapnut), includes 2000 species in 150 genera; and now including new family members, Aceraceae (maples) and Hippocastanaceae (horse chestnuts).

Toxicity

Saponins are highly toxic to cold-blooded animals, due to their ability to lower surface tension. Saponin as the sapogenin aglycone have also been identified in the animal kingdom in snake venom, starfish, and sea cucumber. Some saponins (including those produced by the soapberry) are poisonous if swallowed and can cause urticaria (skin rash) in many people. Any markedly toxic saponin is known as a sapotoxin. Digitalis-saponins have been used in high doses as arrow and spear poisons by African and South American natives. [13] Like all detergents, saponins are highly toxic if injected, because they cause hemolysis of blood cells. If eaten or swallowed, hydrolysis of the glycoside into its sugar moiety and aglycone or sapogenin reduces a saponin's toxicity. Ingested, the sapogenin is less toxic and not hemolytic. Native Americans eat Indian ice-cream made with Canada Buffaloberry, which contains saponins. Dog feeds often contain soybeans and beet pulp, which contain saponins that may be toxic to dogs.^[5

Medicinal use

Soap nuts (sapindus), especially Sapindus mukorossi, are used medically as an expectorant, emetic, and for treatment of excessive salivation, epilepsy, chlorosis, and migraines. Soap nuts are among the list of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda. They are a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleansers. They are used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and for removing freckles.

Saponins are believed to be useful in the human diet for controlling cholesterol. The Maasai eat soup laced with bitter bark and roots containing saponins. Heart disease is nearly nonexistent among the Maasai, and their cholesterol is one third lower than the average U.S. citizen. Urban Massai who don't eat the traditional soup, do develop heart disease.^[6] [14] Bile cholesterol is secreted into the intestine. Much of it is later reabsorbed into the body. Saponins bind to bile acids and cholesterol, so much of it is not reabsorbed, and instead excreted from the body. ^[7] Digitalis-type saponins strengthens heart muscle contractions, causing the heart to pump more efficiently.^[8]

Saponins inhibit some kinds of cancer cell tumor growth in animals, particularly lung and blood cancers, without killing normal cells. Cancer cells contain more cholesterol compounds than normal cells. Saponins bind to cholesterol, interfering with cell growth and division. In the colon, bacteria metabolize primary bile acids into secondary bile acids, which are a cause of colon cancer. Saponins bind to primary bile acids, preventing much of the secondary bile acids from forming.^[9]^[10]

Saponins are the plants' immune system, acting as a natural antibiotic to protect the plant against microbes and fungus. Quillaja saponins stimulate the immune system and enhance both injected and oral vaccines. Saponin kills protozoa in the intestines by causing it's cell membrane to lyse.^[11] Scientists are experimenting with saponin-based antibiotics, fungicides, yeast disinfectants, and vaccines against HIV.^[12]^[13]

In laboratory studies saponins can be used at 0.04%-0.2% to permeabilize ("make holes in") the plasma membrane as well as the membranes of internal organelles such as ER and Golgi but does not penetrate the nuclear membrane. Therefore it is used in intracellular histochemistry staining to allow antibody access to intracellular proteins.

Because of its reversible nature on cells and its ability to permeabilize cells without destroying cell morphology, it is used in laboratory applications to treat live cells in order to facilitate peptide or reagents such as antibodies to enter cells instead of the harsher detergent triton X-100. It is also done on whole cell preparations such as cell smears and cytospins where the cell membrane is intact. It can also be done on frozen sections but is not used on fixed tissue sections. To preserve the permeabilizing effect, saponin has to be used in all processes involved in the staining steps or otherwise removed after reagent of interest has reached the cell.

Gotu Kola Information

2008-08-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

Drug-Herb Interaction

None known.
Information on the relationship between substances and disease is provided for general information, in order to convey a balanced review of the scientific literature. In many cases the relationship between a substance and a disease is tentative and additional research is needed to confirm such a relationship.

Facts

Scientific Name: Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, synonym: Hydrocotyle asiatica L.
Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae).
Other Common Names: Asiatic pennywort, Indian pennywort, hydrocotyle,manduk(a) parni (Hindi), luei gong gen (Chinese).Gotu kola is an aromatic creeping perennial herb that is indigenous to subtropical and tropical climates.
The medicinal parts are the dried aerial parts, the fresh and dried leaves and stem. The leaves, 1 to 6 cm wide, are kidney-shaped (gotu kola means cup-shaped leaf in Sinhalese, the language of Sri Lanka).
The active components of gotu kola leaves are the triterpenoids, especially asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside. [Gotu kola, unreleated to cola or kola nut (Cola nitida, C. acuminate), contains no caffeinic]. ¹, ²

Functions

A primary mode of action of gotu kola appears to be on the various phases of connective tissue development.
The total triterpenic fraction of C. asiatica, has been shown to be active on connective tissue modulation, improve the synthesis of collagen and other tissue proteins by modulating the action of fibroblasts in the vein wall, and stimulate collagen remodeling in and around the venous wall.
Gotu kola appears to exert its anxiolytic and anti-stress activity bye depressant action on the central nervous system (CNS) involving an increase in the concentration of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain. ⁶

Dosage

The usual dose of gotu kola is 20-60 mg 3 times daily of an extract standardized to contain 40% asiaticoside , 29-30% asiatic acid, 29-30% madecassic acid, and 1-2% madecassoside.
Specific Applications:
Leprosy – 0.5 g powdered dried leaf In capsules, 3 times daily
Leg ulcers – 6 x 10 mg tablets daily of standardized extract for 3 to 8 weeks
Ulcerous skin – 20 mg asiaticoside daily, Intramuscularly, – 40 mg extract every 2nd day
Liver disease – 90 to 150 mg extract daily
Venous Insufficiency – 3 to 6 tabs. Madecassol® (10 mg stand. ext. per tab.) for 1-3 months 60 to 120 mg TECA (titrated extract) daily
Special skin Disease – Salve with 0.5% asiaticoside or powder with 2% asiaticoside, once or twice daily
Wounds – Pure asiaticoside in powder form
Eye wash – 1% solution of asiaticoside, 6 times daily²

Toxicity

Oral gotu kola appears to be non-toxic with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Mild allergic contact dermatitis may be produced in sensitive individuals. ¹ Safety in young children, pregnant and lactating women and those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

Research Summary

Kartnig⁵ has tabulated an exhaustive list, with references, of the clinical applications of C. asiatica extracts and commercial formulations up to 1987. The treatment conditions were classified under three main headings: Diseases and Injuries of the Skin, Diseases of the Veins, and Diseases of the Liver.
Venous Insufficiency: DeSanctis and colleagues evaluated the variation of capillary filtration rate, ankle circumference, and ankle edema in 3 groups with venous hypertension and one group of normal subjects before and after 4 weeks of treatment with total triterpenic fraction of C. asiatica (TTFCA). Twenty patients with venous insufficiency were treated with 180 mg/daily, 20 others with 90 mg/daily, and group 3 with a placebo. After 4 weeks, there was a significant decrease in the evaluated parameters mentioned above as well as symptoms, with greater decreases in the higher dose group. ⁷

120 mg daily of TTFCA or placebo was prescribed for 6 weeks to 40 patients with venous hypertension. The results showed that TTFCA improves microcirculation and leg volume in venous hypertension. ⁸ Cesarone and colleagues studied the effects of TTFCA on 30 patients with diabetic microangiography. Patients received 120 mg daily of TTFCA for 6 months while 2 other groups received either placebo or no treatment. After 6 months, no significant changes were seen in either control group. There was, however, a significant improvement of microcirculatory parameters in subjects treated with TTFCA. The authors conclude that TTFCA was useful in diabetic microangiopathy by improving microcirculation and decreasing capillary permeability in this study. ⁹
Skin Problems: Extracts of C. asiatica, as well as various preparations of its prime constituent, asiaticoside, have been shown in numerous studies to effectively promote the healing of skin wounds, particularly burns. Extracts of C.asiatica have also successfully treated surgical wounds, skin grafts, gangrene, and traumatic injuries, including perineal lesions from childbirth. ⁵ Lawrence¹⁰ concluded that the most successful use of asiaticoside was for treatment of chronic skin lesions such as ulcers and leprosy wounds.

Shukla and colleagues studied the activity of asiaticoside from gotu kola in normal and delayed-type wound healing in guinea pigs. Results suggest that both topical (0.2% and 0.4% solution of asiaticoside) and oral (1mg/kg) administration of asiaticoside exhibit significant wound healing activity in normal and delayed healing models. ¹¹

In an open clinical trial involving 20 patients with soiled wounds and chronic or recurrent atony, treatment with a galenical formulation containing 89.5% C. asiatica healed 64% and produced improvement in another 16% of the lesions examined. ¹²

A tincture of C. asiatica containing asiaticoside as the main ingredient healed 4% of soiled wounds and chronic or recurrent atony that was resistant to standard treatment regimens. ¹³
Antianxiety/Antistress/Sedative: Extracts of C. asiatica have been shown to possess mild tranquilizing, antistress and antianxiety ability, apparently by enhancing cholinergic mechanism. ¹⁴

An evaluation of the influence on the CNS of an aqueous extract of C. asiatica has been conducted in mice. Administered intraperitoneally, the extract decreased spontaneous motor activity and delayed pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions to a degree comparable with diazepam. It also potentiated pentabarbitone-induced sleep but did not affect immobility time in swimming tests. ¹⁵

An ethanolic extract of C. asiatica was found to exhibit significant anti-stress activity in a variety of stress tests on rats, again using diazepam as a control. Antidepressant activity was also indicated, and an analgesic effect demonstrated along with a reduction in the adrenocortical response. ¹⁶

Studies with a hydroalcoholic extract of C. asiatica leaves have confirmed the plants anxiolytic/sedative influence, potentiating in rats, the hypnotic effect of phenobarbitone as well as anticonvulstant acitivity against PTZ as previously observed for the aqueous extract in mice. ¹⁵ Mental Function: The ancient reputation in India of C. asiatica as a plant whose consumption advances intelligence and improves memory, gains support from some modern investigation.

A significant enhancement of mental abilities was observed in 30 developmentally disabled children treated with a leaf preparation of the plant. After six months the children exhibited better overall adjustment, were more attentive, and better able to concentrate on assigned tasks. ¹⁷
The performance of rats in a passive avoidance test was evaluated after oral treatment with an aqueous extract of fresh leaves for 15 days and compared with a control group administered saline. Levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites in brain and urine were monitored. Retention of learned behavior in the medicated rats was three to 60 times greater than in the controls, and was associated with a significant lowering of the levels of the three neurotransmitters in the brain and of their metabolites in both brain and urine in the drug-treated group of test animals. The correlation of performance with levels of Biogenic amines supported their role in Learning and memory. ¹⁸
In a double-blin, placebo-controlled, randomized study the effect of gotu kola on acoustic startle response (ASR) was assessed in 40 healthy subjects (21 men, 19 women) ranging in age from 18 to 45 years, were admininstered a one-time dose of either 12g gotu kola dried leaf powder (Nature’s Way Canada, Ltd.) mixed in 300 ml grape juice or 300 ml or plain grape juice (matched for color, taste, and smell). ASR, heart rate, blood pressure and mood data were recorded at baseline, and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after ingestion. The startle response was statistically significantly lower 30 and 60 minutes after ingestion of gotu kola as compared to placebo, with an affect size of 0.48 and 0.77, respectively, supporting anxiolytic activity. There was no difference between placebo and treatment for later times or at baseline. There was also no differnce in heart rate or blood pressure, and mood response, except for self-rated energy level. ¹⁹

Anticancer: A 5:1 methanolic extract of C. asiatica was found effective, at a level of 100 micrograms per ml, in destroying cultured cancer tumor cells. In addition, no appreciable toxic effect were detected in normal human lymphocytes. [~20~]

Uses

Traditionally, inhabitants of the Indonesian islands and surrounding territories have used extracts of the plant, both topically and internally, mainly for wound healing and treating leprosy; in India³ and Africa⁴ also, preparations of the plant have been employed traditionally in the treatment of leprosy. In India, the plant and its extracts have been recommended since the 19th century for skin conditions associated with eczema, lupus and psoriasis, and for varicose ulcers; in addition, C. asiatica was regarded as particularly beneficial in female conditions such as amenorrhea and diseases of the genital and urinary systems. ⁵, ⁶ A plethora of other folk uses, not supported by experimental or clinical data, are catalogued in the WHO monograph on Herba Centellae ¹
Gotu kola’s principal modern uses are the promotion of wound healing and for varicose veins and venous insufficiency.
The other significant areas of application of gotu kola involve the mental functioning of developmentally disabled children and as anti-anxiety and anti-stress treatmens. ²
Extract of C. asiatica are available worldwide in a vriety of over-the-counter formulations a skin creams and lotions, hair conditioners and shampoos. Usually combined with other materials of natural origin, cosmetic creams have been recommended for regeneration of aged skin, relief of itching and other skin irritations. In Canada, Cothilyne®, a combination product that is 90 per cent C. asiatica tincture is labeled for external use for cicatrisation of wounds. ²

gotu kola

2008-08-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Centella asiatica

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Centella asiatica

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Mackinlayaceae
Genus:	Centella
Species:	C. asiatica

Binomial name

Centella asiatica
(L.) Urban

Centella asiatica is a small herbaceous annual plant of the family Mackinlayaceae or subfamily Mackinlayoideae of family Apiaceae, and is native to Sri Lanka, northern Australia, Indonesia, Iran^[1], Malaysia, Melanesia, New Guinea, and other parts of Asia. Common names include Gotu Kola, Asiatic Pennywort, Luei Gong Gen, Takip-kohol, Antanan, Pegagan, Pegaga, vallaarai (வல்லாரை), Kula kud, Bai Bua Bok (ใบบัวบก), and Brahmi (although this last name is shared with Bacopa monnieri and other herbs). It is used as a medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Botanical synonyms include Hydrocotyle asiatica L. and Trisanthus cochinchinensis (Lour.) In sinhalese (Sri Lanka) Gotu = conical shape and Kola= leaf

Description

The stems are slender, creeping stolons, green to reddish green in color, interconnecting one plant to another. It has long-stalked, green, reniform leaves with rounded apices which have smooth texture with palmately netted veins. The leaves are borne on pericladial petioles, around 20 cm. The rootstock consists of rhizomes, growing vertically down. They are creamish in color and covered with root hairs.

The flowers are pinkish to red in color, born in small, rounded bunches (umbels) near the surface of the soil. Each flower is partly enclosed in two green bracts. The hermaphrodite flowers are minute in size (less than 3 mm), with 5-6 corolla lobes per flower. Each flower bears five stamens and two styles. The fruit are densely reticulate, distinguishing it from species of Hydrocotyle which have smooth, ribbed or warty fruit.

The crop matures in three months and the whole plant, including the roots, is harvested manually.

Habitat

Centella grows along ditches and in low wet areas. In Indian and Southeast Asian centella, the plant frequently suffers from high levels of bacterial contamination, possibly from having been harvested from sewage ditches. Because the plant is aquatic, it is especially sensitive to pollutants in the water, which easily are incorporated into the plant.

Medicinal effects

Gotu kola is a mild adaptogen, is mildly antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, anxiolytic, a cerebral tonic, a circulatory stimulant, a diuretic, nervine and vulnerary. ^[4]^[5]

When eaten raw as a salad leaf, pegaga is thought to help maintain youthfulness. In Thailand cups with gotu kola leaves are used as an afternoon pick me up. ^[6] A decoction of juice from the leaves is thought to relieve hypertension. This juice is also used as a general tonic for good health. A poultice of the leaves is also used to treat open sores. Interestingly, chewing on the plant for several hours induces entheogenic meditation, similar to the effects of salvia divinorum, although this practice is widely considered dangerous, as it can cause temporomandibular joint pains.^{[citation needed]}

Richard Lucas claimed in a book published in 1979 that a subspecies "Hydrocotyle asiatica minor" allegedly from Sri Lanka also called "Fo ti tieng", contained a longevity factor called 'youth Vitamin X' said to be 'a tonic for the brain and endocrine glands' and maintained that extracts of the plant help circulation and skin problems. ^[7] However according to master herbalist Michael Moore, it appears that there is no such subspecies and no Vitamin X is known to exist.^[8] Nonetheless some of the cerebral circulatory and dermatological actions claimed from centella (as hydrocotyle) have a solid basis.

Several scientific reports have documented Centella asiatica's ability to aid wound healing, which is responsible for its traditional use in leprosy. Upon treatment with Centella asiatica, maturation of the scar is stimulated by the production of type I collagen. The treatment also results in a marked decrease in inflammatory reaction and myofibroblast production^[9].

The isolated steroids from the plant have been used to treat leprosy.^[10] ^[11] In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that it may have nootropic effects. ^[12] Centella asiatica is used to re-vitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention span and concentration ^[13], and combat aging.^[14] Centella asiatica also has anti-oxidant properties.^[15] It works for venous insufficiency. ^[16] It is used in Thailand for opium detoxification.

It is one of the constituent of Indian summer drink "thandaayyee"

Ayurvedic View

In India it is popularly known by a variety of names: Bemgsag, Brahma manduki, Brahmanduki, Brahmi (North India, West India), Gotu kola, Khulakhudi, Mandukparni, Mandookaparni, Mandukaparni (South India), or Thankuni depending on region. It is often confused with Bacopa monnieri which is the more famous "Brahmi", both have some common therapeutic properties in Vedic texts and both are used for improving memory. However, current research^{[citation needed]} has clearly established the difference in pharmacological activities of these two herbs.

Gotu Kola acts as a powerful "brain food", and is known for its ability to enhance mental ability. It supports and improves comprehension , memory and recollection . It coordinates these three aspects of mind power to develop a more effective level of performance. It has a "Vayasthapana effect", meaning that it helps retard the aging process. It is excellent for both internal and topical application. Gotu Kola nourishes the mind-body connection and enhances the psychoneuro immune (PNI) response. It supports the formation of quality blood , as well as the bone marrow and nerves .^{[citation needed]}

Folklore

Gotu Kola is a minor feature in the longevity myth of the Tai Chi Chuan master Li Ching-Yun. He purportedly lived to be 256, due in part to his usage of traditional Chinese herbs including Gotu Kola.

A popular folklore tale from Sri Lanka speaks of a prominent king from the 10th century AD named Aruna who claimed that Gotu Kola provided him with energy and stamina to satisfy his 50-woman harem.