Botanically, Gotu Kola belongs to the Apiaceae family, like our native herbs dill, coriander and anise.

Gotu kola originally comes from the tropical and subtropical regions of East and South Asia. However, the plant is now found almost throughout the entire tropics, especially in India, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Malaysia, and South America.

Gotu kola is traditionally used in Chinese folk medicine and Ayurveda. In Thai cuisine, the leaves and stems are used and eaten as a vegetable or raw in salads.

In Ayurveda Centella asiatica under the name Mandukaparni well-known. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the name is Jixuecao used. In German-speaking countries, Gotu Kola is also known as Indian pennywort or Tiger grass known. The name "Tiger grass" originates from the observation that tigers, after injuries, graze in Gotu Kola fields rolling, which indicates the plant's wound-healing properties.

The leaves of the plant contain various secondary plant compounds such as triterpenes, triterpene saponins (e.g. asiaticoside and madecassoside), flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are responsible for the health benefits of the medicinal plant.

V.aAsiaticosides (belonging to the group of triterpene glycosides) are known for their anti-inflammatory, blood pressure-lowering, immune-stimulating, antibiotic, and antioxidant effects, as well as their skin-conditioning qualities.

Therapeutic uses of Gotu Kola

Cognitive functions/Dementia

There is some evidence that asiaticoside may also offer benefits for cognitive performance. In particular, it has been observed that it can promote mental clarity and concentration (see [reference]). https://nanobioletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LIANBS131.006.pdf ).

It is believed that gotu kola can influence the activity of certain neurotransmitters. The focus here is on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which affects memory and learning. Gotu kola could help increase the concentration of this neurotransmitter in the brain (see [reference]). Zeba Firdaus et al., "Centella asiatica Alleviates AlCl3-induced Cognitive Impairment, Oxidative Stress, and Neurodegeneration by Modulating Cholinergic Activity and Oxidative Burden in Rat Brain", accessed on 08.04.2024 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34984596/ ).

Gotu Kola is also playing an increasingly important role in the prevention and adjuvant therapy of Alzheimer's/dementia, a fact supported by numerous studies:

· Mook-Jung et al., 1999 have the activity of asiaticoside-6, a chemical component of gotu kola, as an Alzheimer's drug shown to protect against amyloid-β toxicity.

· Gotu kola juice, when taken with milk, prevented dementia and improved memory (cf. Manyam, 1999).

· Witter tested gotu kola, along with seven other plants, for the inhibition of amyloid-β1-40 (Aβ40) and methionine-amyloid-β1-40 (MAβ40) fibrillation, which causes plaque formation leading to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Gotu kola extract was found to be the strongest inhibitor due to its asiaticosides and to interact with MAβ40 (see [reference]). Witter, 2018).

· In a study, gotu kola extract was tested against streptozotocin-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in Wistar rats, and it was observed that the aqueous extract of Gotu Kola cognitive deficits and oxidative stress caused by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin, effectively prevented (cf. Kumar and Gupta, 2002).

· A further investigation of the neuroprotective effect of gotu kola against aluminium hexahydrate was carried out on Wistar rats and the results showed that gotu kola treatment reduced the changes caused by AlCl3. This study suggests that the neuroprotective effect is due to the antioxidant potential of gotu kola (see [reference]). Amjad and Umesalma, 2015).

· Matthews observed in his study that Gotu Kola extract increased cytochrome B, NADH dehydrogenase 1, cytochrome C oxidase 1 and ATP synthase 6 in hippocampal neurons, which led to its cognitive effect (see [reference]). Matthews, 2017).

· Gray showed that an aqueous extract of gotu kola reduced amyloid (Aβ)-induced cognitive deficits were attenuated in vivo. and prevented Aβ-induced cytotoxicity using an in vitro model. The proposed mechanism of aqueous gotu kola extract is that it influences mitochondrial biogenesis along with the activation of the antioxidant response (see [reference]). Gray et al., 2014, 2015).

· Dhanasekaran concluded that gotu kola extract reduced amyloid-β1-40, 1-42 and also significantly reduced Congo red-stained fibrillar amyloid plaques, and that the The extract acted as an antioxidant and prevented DNA damage (see [reference]). Dhanasekaran et al., 2009).

· Chen and his colleagues demonstrated this Anti-Alzheimer's potential of gotu kola extract through the ability to improve Aβ-mediated production of reactive oxygen species in nerve cells (cf. Chen et al., 2016).

skincare

Gotu Kola contains compounds such as triterpenes, which are known to promote collagen production (see below). Akhilesh Dubey et al., "Cationic biopolymer decorated Asiatic Acid and Centella asiatica extract incorporated liposomes for treating early-stage Alzheimer's disease: An In-vitro and In-vivo investigation", accessed on April 8, 2024 at https://f1000research.com/articles/11-1535/v1 For this reason, the leaves of Centella asiatica used in many skincare products.

Gotu Kola is therefore also used to treat minor cuts, abrasions, and even burns by supporting collagen synthesis and the Scarring reduced.

In India and China, Gotu Kola is used for skin regeneration and scar reduction (see below). Lúcio Ricardo Leite Diniz et al., "Centella asiatica and Its Metabolite Asiatic Acid: Wound Healing Effects and Therapeutic Potential," Metabolites, 2023 Feb; 13(2): 276, accessed on April 8, 2024 at https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/2/276 )

The anti-inflammatory properties of Centella asiatica It helps with skin problems such as redness, irritation, and acne. The water pennywort's ability to retain moisture also supports a youthful complexion.

Furthermore, the contained asiaticosides accelerate the healing process in superficial burns and significantly increase the tensile strength of the newly formed skin.

Asiaticosides could also help treat certain skin diseases such as scleroderma and psoriasis.

Finally, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of asiaticosides in reducing stretch marks, scars, and skin blemishes caused, for example, by acne breakouts or irritations (see [reference]). https://nanobioletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LIANBS131.006.pdf ).

Inflammation &joint pain

Gotu kola has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve joint pain and other inflammatory conditions. Regular intake of gotu kola may contribute to reducing inflammation and improving mobility.

Gotu Kola is also increasingly used in the fight against arteriosclerosis (see...). Gianni Belcaro et al., "Pycnogenol® and Centella asiatica to prevent asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression in clinical events", Minerva Cardioangiologica 2017 February;65(1):24-31, accessed on April 8, 2024 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26505327/ ).

Venous disorders, varicose veins && spider veins

Gotu kola strengthens blood vessel walls and improves blood circulation, making it an effective remedy for varicose veins and spider veins. It can reduce swelling and improve the appearance of venous disorders.

Side effects and contraindications

Taking gotu kola in the recommended daily amounts is considered safe. However, high doses could lead to nausea, dizziness, stomach upset, and headaches. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are generally advised against taking it due to insufficient research.

• People with liver damage should avoid gotu kola. In rare cases, side effects in the form of an increased risk of liver damage have been observed.
• Gotu kola should be avoided for approximately two weeks prior to surgery. It could interact with other medications.