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(Centella asiatica)
Historical and cultural backgrounds :
Gotu kola (or Indian penniwort) has a long history in central Asia as a medicine. Early Sanskrit writings from the Indo-Europeans (who called themselves 'Aryans' and lived in the middle of the second millenium before Christ) indicate that the plant was used in 'aryuvedic' medicine to improve mental health and as a treatment for bronchitis, coughs and certain heart diseases. "Brahmi" (as the plant was refered to) was used similarly as Bacopa monniera ; it might be interesting to mention that many early literature interchanges both plant names, although they are botanically unrelated.
Effects :
Gotu kola is considered to be a nerve-tonic at low doses and a relaxant in higher doses; apparently at low doses it stimulates mental functions and at higer doses it produces sedativity. Another interesting property is its ability to stimulate wound healing.
Autonomic changes: sedativity, anticonvulsant- and mild diuretic activity, peripheral vasodilation and an increases bloodflow1.
Dosage and preparation :
The plant material (the areal part) can be eaten and prepared into a tea (due to the lipidsolubility of one of the main ingredients, it is best to add a lump of butter during the boiling proces of the tea preparation). Both fresh and dried plant can be used; when the material is taken in the dried state, it is usually taken in doses of 10-45 grams, but spread out over a period of a few weeks time.
Botanical aspects :
According to older literature, Centella asiatica belongs to Apiaceae, but through genetic analysis, it is now believed that C. Asiatica belongs to Araliaceae. This perennial is native to the tropical parts of Asia (including India), South Africa, Madagascar and pakistan. At the present time, this ground hugging plant with spade-shaped leaves is distributed over the world as an ornamental.
 Figure. C. Asiatica.
Phytochemistry :
C. asiatica contains a variety of biologically active chemical groups; it contains triterpenoid glycosides (saponines) , phytosterols and a volatile oil consisting of vallerin, camphor, cineole and an unidentified terpene acetate that comprises 35% of the total oil content1. Vitamins B and C, tannins, several aminoacids, an alkaloid named hydrocotyline and the elements Ca, Mg and Na1.
The triterpenoid glycosides include asiaticoside, asiatoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, madicassoside, oxyasiaticoside, brahminoside, brahmoside, centelloside
The phytosterols include campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol
Pharmacology :
The triterpenoids are mainly responsible for the pharmacology of C. Asiatica and apparently interact with the cholinergic neurosystem; alcoholic extracts given to albino rats resulted in a decrease of acetylcholine and histamine brain concentrations. The interaction with this neural system is probably responsible for the mild memory improvement and relaxation1.
Extracts of the plant material also increases the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. SOD is an intracellular enzym that catalyses the conversion of a superoxide anion to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide; glutathione peroxidase converts various peroxidases and is mainly present in the cytosol and mitochondria of most tissues. In addition, asiaticoside has an immunesystem stimulating, antibacterial property: it breaksdown the outer membrane of Mycobacterium leprae allowing the immune system to destroy it1.
Modifiers :
It seems that little is known about interactions with Gotu kola, but according to the pharmacological actions of the active constituents, it might interact with:
- Antidepressants of the benzodiazepine type (i.e. valium)6; aparently alcoholic extracts prolong the hypnotic activity of sodium-phenobarbitone in mice and rats.
- Tropane alkaloid containg plants (i.e. Atropa-, Datura and Hyoscyamus species).
- Activated charcoal counteracts the effects of the aromatic oil6.
- Milk quickens absorption of the lipophilic6.
References
1. [Gary Ozarko.]
2. [Foster, P.; Health notes]
3. [Wolfman/ Paladini/ Medina/ Levi de stein/ Calvo/ Diaz, 1999]
4. [Erlund, 2000]
5. [Sabinsa Corporation 2001, Bacopa monniera and Centella asiatica: two distinct species]
6. [Forth/ Henschler/ Rummel/ Fostermann/ Starke, 2001]
7. [Niesink/ Vries/ Hollinger, 1995] |
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