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Search About Herbs:

Gotu Kola

How It Works

Bottom Line: Gotu kola has not been shown to treat or prevent cancer.

Gotu kola is a plant extract that contains many biologically active compounds. Although this botanical has been studied extensively in the laboratory, very few studies have been conducted in humans. Laboratory studies have found a range of effects including improved wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies in humans have suggested that gotu kola can decrease venous pressure in people with venous insufficiency and may be able to relieve anxiety.

Purported Uses

  • To treat burns
    Laboratory data suggest that gotu kola aids in wound healing, but human data is lacking.
  • To lower high blood pressure
    No scientific evidence supports this use. Several clinical trials show that gotu kola can reduce venous hypertension in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, but there is no evidence that this herb can treat typical (arterial) high blood pressure.
  • To treat psoriasis
    Laboratory experiments suggest that gotu kola can reduce inflammation, but there is no proof from clinical trials that it can treat psoriasis.
  • For sedation
    One preliminary study in humans found that gotu kola can decrease people's "startle response."
  • To treat chronic venous insufficiency
    Several clinical trials support this use.

  • Research Evidence

    Anxiety:
    A group of researchers looked into the ability of gotu kola to reduce anxiety. They did this by measuring something called the acoustic startle response (ASR) in 40 volunteers. Half of the volunteers were randomly given a single 12 gram dose of gotu kola, and 20 were given a placebo pill, and their ASR was measured 30 and 60 minutes later. Volunteers who took gotu kola had a smaller ASR (meaning they were less easily startled than people in the placebo group). However, volunteers who took gotu kola did not report having a less anxious mood, so it is still unclear whether this botanical will be effective in reducing anxiety.

    Chronic venous insufficiency:
    In a randomized, controlled trial, 94 patients with venous insufficiency were assigned to take either (1) 120 mg/day of gotu kola, (2) 60 mg/day of gotu kola, or (3) a placebo pill. After two months, people who were taking gotu kola, regardless of the dose, had an improvement in the symptoms of heaviness and edema (swelling) in their legs compared to people taking the placebo pill. In addition, people taking gotu kola had better venous tone than people taking the placebo.

    Warnings

  • Gotu kola should not be confused with kolanut. Gotu kola does not contain any caffeine and has not been shown to have stimulant properties.
  • Depending on where gotu kola is grown, the content of active compounds in this herb can vary widely. Products should have standardized content of the following compounds: asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and madecassoside.
  • This product is regulated by the F.D.A. as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.

  • Do Not Take If

     


    Side Effects

  • Contact dermatitis
  • Pruritus (itching)
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Headache
  • Reduced fertility may occur in women wishing to become pregnant.

  • Scientific Name

    Centella asiatica, Hydrocotyle asiatica

    Common Name

    Indian pennywort, hydrocotyle, mandukaparni, madecassol, TECA, centelase, tsubo-kusa, luei gong gen, idrocotyle, kaki kuda

    Clinical Summary

    Extracts from the leaf and the entire plant of gotu kola are used for a variety of conditions including venous insufficiency, varicose veins, wound healing, scleroderma, and scars. In vivo analysis indicates that madecassoside, an active constituent of gotu kola, may have protective effects against arthritis (5) and myocardial infarction (4).
    Topical application of asiaticoside extracted from gotu kola enhanced burn wound healing (6). Gotu kola may improve cognitive function and mood in the elderly (7). In addition, several studies demonstrate a reduction in lower extremity edema with gotu kola as compared to placebo for patients with chronic venous insufficiency (1) (2) (3).
    Possible adverse effects include headache, contact dermatitis, and pruritus.

    Purported uses

  • Burns
  • Cancer treatment
  • Circulatory disorders
  • GI disorders
  • Hypertension
  • Memory loss
  • Psoriasis
  • Scars
  • Sedation
  • Varicose veins

  • Constituents

  • Amino Acids: Alanine and serine (major components)
  • Terpenoids: Triterpenes, asiaticoside, brahmoside and brahminoside (saponin glycosides), aglycones, asiaticentoic acid, centellic acid, centoic acid and madecassic acid
  • Sesquiterpenes: Caryophyllene, trans-B-farnesene
  • Volatile Oils: Germacrene D
  • Alkaloid: Hydrocotylin
  • Flavones: Quercetin, kaempferol, sesquiterpenes, stigmasterol, and sitosterol
  • Other Constituents: Vallerine, fatty acids, resin, and tannins
    (8)

  • Mechanism of Action

    The triterpenoids are considered to be the active constituents in gotu kola. The glycoside madecassoside has anti-inflammatory properties. Asiaticoside, a constituent of gotu kola, appears to promote wound healing by stimulating collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis as well as angiogenesis (6). It also elevates blood glucose and cholesterol levels. There is preliminary evidence that gotu kola might have sedative and analgesic properties (9).


    Warnings

    Gotu kola should not be confused with kolanut. Gotu kola does not contain any caffeine and has not been shown to have stimulant properties.
    There are wide variations in terpenoid concentrations depending on the location in which gotu kola is grown. Products should be standardized as to asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and madecassoside content.

    Adverse Reactions

    Reported: Contact dermatitis, pruritus, photosensitization, and headache; reduced fertility may occur in women wishing to become pregnant.
    Toxicity: Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and sedation have occurred following consumption of higher doses.

    Herb-Drug Interactions

    Anti-hyperlipidemics: Theoretically gotu kola may interfere with cholesterol lowering agents.

    Literature Summary and Critique

    Bradwejn J, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled study on the effects of gotu kola on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2000;20:680-4.
    An evaluation of the effects of gotu kola on the acoustic startle response (ASR) in humans. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either a single 12 g orally administered dose of gotu kola (n=20) or placebo (n=20). Gotu kola significantly attenuated the peak ASR amplitude 30 and 60 minutes after treatment.

    Wattanathorn J, et al. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. Mar 5 2008;116(2):325-332.
    In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 28 participants (> 61 years of age) received either gotu kola extracts (250, 500, or 750 mg daily) or placebo in order to determine the effect of gotu kola on cognitive function and mood. After 2 months, cognitive function (as assessed by event-related potential and the computerized assessment battery test) and mood (using Bond-Lader visual analogue) was determined. The greatest improvements in mood and cognitive function were detected in those receiving the 750 mg dose of gotu kola. Further long-term studies will help determine the mechanism by which gotu kola influences age-related changes in mood and cognitive function.

    References

    1. Cesarone MR, et al. Effects of the total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in venous hypertensive microangiopathy: a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Angiology 2001;52(Suppl 2):S15-18.
    2. Cesarone MR, et al. Evaluation of treatment of diabetic microangiopathy with total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica: a clinical prospective randomized trial with a microcirculatory model. Angiology 2001;52(Suppl 2):S49-54.
    3. Pointel JP, et al. Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) in the treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Angiology 1987;38:46-50.
    4. Bian GX, Li GG, Yang Y, et al. Madecassoside reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury on regional ischemia induced heart infarction in rat.Biol Pharm Bull. Mar 2008;31(3):458-463.
    5. Liu M, Dai Y, Yao X, et al. Anti-rheumatoid arthritic effect of madecassoside on type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Int Immunopharmacol. Nov 2008;8(11):1561-1566.
    6. Kimura Y, Sumiyoshi M, Samukawa K, et al. Facilitating action of asiaticoside at low doses on burn wound repair and its mechanism. Eur J Pharmacol. Apr 28 2008;584(2-3):415-423.
    7. Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S, et al. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. Mar 5 2008;116(2):325-332.
    8. Newall CA, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press; 1996.
    9. DerMarderosian A, editor. The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons; 1999.
    10. Bradwein J, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of gotu kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2000;20:680-4.
    11. Klovekorn W, Tepe A, Danesch U. A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, half-side comparison with a herbal ointment containing Mahonia aquifolium, Viola tricolor and Centella asiatica for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. Nov 2007;45(11):583-591.

    Last Updated: Dec. 19, 2008
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