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Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Jan - Mar 2023                                                                                     Indian J Pharm Drug Studies | 17  

Review Article 

An update on the ayurvedic herb Centella asiatica 

Ashoka Shenoy M1, Vinisha Seema Dsouza2, Ramkrishna Shabaraya A3 

From 1Assi. Prof., 2PG Scholar, 3Prof. Principal, Department of Pharmacology, Srinivas College of Pharmacy Farangipete post, 

Mangalore - 574143. 

Correspondence to: Vinisha Seema Dsouza, PG Scholar, Department of Pharmacology, Srinivas College of Pharmacy Valachil, 

Farangipete Post, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: vinishasdsouza19@gmail.com  

ABSTRACT 

Plants have been demonstrated extraordinary source of medicine and recently focus on medicinal plant research has increased. For its 

traditional usage and medical benefits in the treatment of numerous ailments, Centella asiatica is widely known. The utilization of this 

plant as a whole and isolated bioactive chemical are both commonly employed to cure a variety of human illnesses, according to 

published research. According to reports, Centella asiatica has a range of pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, 

anticancer, wound-healing, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, insecticidal, and antioxidant 

properties. Asiatic acid, asiaticosside, and madecassoside are among the several flavonoids and terpenoid chemicals found in Centella 

asiatica, each of which is known for its pharmacological importance. The significant medicinal plant Centella asiatica is identified and 

described as bioactive components, pharmacological characteristics, in vitro propagation, and traditional usage was all succinctly 

covered in the present review. 

Keywords: Centella asiatica, Medicinal plants, Triterpenes, Terpenoids phytochemistry, Pharmacology. 

or hundreds of years, Malaysia and other countries of 

Asia have employed the traditional herbal remedy 

Centella asiatica (L) Urban (Umbelliferae) [1]. In 

Malaysia, it is referred to as pegaga, and in America, gotu kola 

and pennywort. In addition to its typical usage as a medicine, it 

is consumed fresh as a salad, cooked as a vegetable, and 

blended as a beverage [2].  

It is also utilized in nutraceutical products, making it a 

crucial commercial plant. Even though its primary use has been 

to promote wound healing, this tropical plant has reportedly 

been used for a variety of medical conditions, including the 

treatment of wounds, asthma, ulcers, leprosy, lupus, vein 

diseases, memory improvement [3], as an antidepressant [4], 

antibacterial [5], antifungal [6], psoriasis [7], and anti-cancer 

agent. Even though its primary use has been to promote wound 

healing, this tropical plant has reportedly been used for a variety 

of medical conditions, including the treatment of wounds, 

asthma, ulcers, leprosy, lupus, vein diseases, memory 

improvement, as an antidepressant, anti- bacterial, antifungal, 

psoriasis, and anti-cancer agent [1]. 

According to numerous studies, the triterpenes in this plant 

are thought to be its biologically active components and the 

presence of several triterpenes, including asiatic acid, 

madecassic acid, asiaticosside, and madecassoside is primarily 

responsible for this plant's medicinal properties [8]. 

Triterpenes, which make up the majority of Centella asiatica, 

have been identified as potential biomarker components [2]. 

Asiatic acid was the only triterpene component proven to 

stimulate collagen formation in human fibroblasts in cell 

culture experiments. Other studies have demonstrated that the 

plant's asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticosside, as well 

as their mixtures, were able to stimulate collagen synthesis in 

skin fibroblast culture whereas the plant's asiaticosside and 

madecassoside, respectively, stimulated type-I collagen and 

type-III collagen. The same three triterpenes, asiatic acid, 

madecassic acid, and asiaticosside, were present in a titrated 

extract of Centella asiatica, which increased the synthesis of 

fibronectin and collagen by 20–35% [9]. Centella asiatica has 

been utilized in skin care products to improve the appearance 

of skin and restore skin firmness and elasticity because of its 

capacity to increase collagen [10]. 

When topical extract formulations were used on rats with 

experimental wounds, the epithelia grew more quickly and the 

rate of contraction during healing increased [11]. Moreover, in 

patients with venous hypertension, Centella asiatica extract 

increased capillary permeability and the microcirculation 

effect. Moreover, the extract was observed to influence lipolytic 

activity, which increased the amount of cyclic adenosine 

monophosphate (cAMP) in human adipocytes and had a 

slimming effect on people [12]. 

The antioxidant ability was found to be neuroprotective and 

able to shield the rat brain from oxidative damage caused by 

aging [13]. Several studies have revealed that Centella asiatica 

extracts have antioxidant effects [14]. Asiaticosside and 

F 

mailto:vinishasdsouza19@gmail.com


Ashoka S M et al.                                                                                         A review on ayurvedic herb Centella asiatica 

Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Jan - Mar 2023                                                                                     Indian J Pharm Drug Studies | 18  

flavonoids have reportedly been linked to the induction of 

antioxidant levels during the healing of wounds [15]. No reports 

are indicating that Centella asiatica extracts can block UV rays. 

The purpose of this investigation is to assess the triterpene 

makeup of Centella asiatica and its biological activity about the 

enhancement of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lipolytic, 

and UV protection characteristics [16]. Vernacular names are 

[17] – Mandookaparni (Hindi), Gotukola (Kannada), Vallarai 

(Tamil), Kodagam (Malayalam), Bekaparanamu (Telugu) and 

Thankuni (Bengali) (Table 1). 

Taxonomical Classification 

Table 1. Taxonomical classification of Centella asiatica [17]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Kingdom                 Plantae 

Division                 Tracheophyta 

Class                 magnoliopsida 

Order                 apiales 

Family                Apiaceae 

Genus                Centella  

Species                C. asiatica 

Habitat 

Centella asiatica is found throughout tropical and subtropical 

regions of India up to an altitude of 600m. The plant is 

indigenous to Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka parts of China 

the western South Sea Islands, Madagascar, South Africa, the 

southeast USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia, and eastern 

South America [18]. 

Botanical Description 

Stem: glabrous, striated, rooting at the nodes. Flourishes 

extensively in shady, marshy, damp, and wet places such as 

paddy fields, and riverbanks forming a dense green carpet, and 

rather than clayey soil, the sandy loam (60% sand) is found to 

be the most fertile soil for its generation. 

Seed: pendulous embryos which are laterally compressed [19]. 

Leaves: 1-3 from each node of stems, long petioles, 2-6 cm 

long and 1.5-5cm wide, orbicular-reniform (Figure 1). 

 
Figure 1: Centella asiatica leaf    

Flowers: fascicled umbels, each umbel consisting of 3-4 white 

to purple or pink flowers, flowering occurs in the month of 

April-June (Figure 2). 

 
Figure 2: Centella asiatica flower 

Fruits: borne throughout the growing season in approx. 2 

inches long, oblong, globular in shape, and strongly thickened 

pericarp (Figure 3). 

 
Figure 3: Centella asiatica fruit 

Phytochemistry 

C. asiatica contains a variety of amino acids, flavonoids, 

terpenoids, essential oils, alkaloids, and other compounds. Most 

phytochemical studies focused on leaves, and the constituents 

differ depending on geographical distribution. For a very long 

period, C. asiatica has been utilized as a natural source of 

medicine. Pentacyclic triterpenes, such as Asiatic acid, 

madecassic acid, asiaticosside, and madecassoside, among 

others, are the primary active components of C. asiatica. To 

date, isoprenoids (sesquiterpenes, plant sterols, pentacyclic 

triterpenoids, and saponins) and derivatives of phenylpropanoid 

have been found as phytochemicals from C. asiatica (eugenol 

derivatives, caffeoylquinic acids, and flavonoids) [19]. 

Pharmacological Activity 

Antiulcer activity: An Acute toxicity study was carried out in 

which the animals were treated with the rhizome extract at a 

dose of 2 and 5 g/kg of C. asiatica leaf extracts and were kept 

under observation for 14 days. All the animals remain alive and 

did not manifest any significant visible signs of toxicity at these 

doses. At any point during the observation period, there were 



Ashoka S M et al.                                                                                         A review on ayurvedic herb Centella asiatica 

Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Jan - Mar 2023                                                                                     Indian J Pharm Drug Studies | 19  

no unusual behaviors, macroscopic findings, symptoms, or 

body weight changes. The hematology and serum biochemistry 

parameters like triglycerides, creatinine, urea and hemoglobin, 

AST, ALT, and ALP of the extract-treated rats showed no 

significant change compared to the control normal rats. The oral 

lethal dose (LD50) for the male and female rats was larger than 

5 g/kg body weight, suggesting that the extract is fairly safe 

even at these higher concentrations and had no acute toxicity 

[20].  

Anti-diabetic activity: Alloxan monohydrate solution of 10 

mg/ml was prepared in ice-cold citrate buffer (0.1M); the pH of 

the ice was kept at 4.5 and was administered to the rats within 

5 mins at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. The 

fasting blood sugar levels of each of the rats were checked 

every day with an autoanalyzer (Glucometer) glucose kit. After 

8 days, animals with fasting blood sugar levels of 250 mg/dl 

and above were considered to be diabetic and were used for the 

study and assigned into five groups of five rats each. Group I 

served as the negative control and received tween 80 solution 

(solvent used to dissolve the extract) (10 ml/kg), group II–IV 

received the C. asiatica extract at the dose of 250, 500, and 

1000 mg/kg respectively while group V served as the positive 

control and received the standard reference drug glibenclamide 

(2 mg/kg) all by gastric gavage. The blood glucose levels of the 

rats were measured at 0, 1, 2, and 3 h after administration of the 

drug and extracts. Blood samples were collected by tail snip and 

the blood glucose was measured with an autoanalyzer 

(Glucometer) glucose kit. At the end of the experiment 

percentage reduction of the glucose levels of the rats at the 3rd 

hour was calculated [21]. 

Anti-inflammatory activity: This study investigated the 

antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effect of Centella 

asiatica extract in rats and anti-allergic in vitro using sheep 

(Capra hircus) serum method and compound 48/80 induced 

mast cell degranulation method, compared with standard drug 

ketotifen fumarate. Orally administered Centella asiatica 

extract was tested for its ability to treat pruritis in rats. 

Chlorpheniramine maleate was used as the standard 

medication, and carrageenan paw-induced inflammation was 

used to test the plant's ability to treat inflammation. The results 

show that the extracts of Centella asiatica exhibited 

antiallergic, anti-pruritic, and anti-inflammatory activities [22]. 

Cytotoxic and anti-tumor activity: The antioxidant activity of 

AE of Centella asiatica was evaluated by its ability to scavenge 

DPPH free radicals. The radical scavenging activity of the 

compounds can be measured by the decolorizing effect 

following the trapping of the unpaired electrons of DPPH. The 

AE showed high antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 

31.25 μg/mL. Ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene 

(BHT) produced IC50 values of 2.50 μg/mL and 7.58 μg/mL, 

respectively. Previous research suggests that the presence of 

compounds with free hydroxyls may be the cause of the potent 

antioxidant action of polar extracts. Since they contain a lot of 

hydroxyls that act as hydrogen donators, flavonoids have a 

perfect structure for scavenging free radicals in this context, 

making them significant antioxidant agents [23]. 

Neuroprotective activity: The neuroprotective effect of C. 

asiatica and its major triterpene saponosides has been 

extensively studied through different experimental models on 

animals such as passive avoidance and elevated-plus labyrinth 

tests for memory enhancing effect. By administering the extract 

at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg (b.w.), the extract was 

tested in rats to see how it affected intra-cerebrovascular 

streptozocin-induced memory linked to the sporadic type of 

AD. Oxidative stress markers like glutathione, superoxide 

dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were also measured. 

While a clear dose-dependent improvement was observed in 

memory-related behaviors in the rat group administered the 

extract at 200 mg/kg (b.w.) dose, a serious decrease in 

malondialdehyde (MDA) and an increase in glutathione and 

CAT levels was recorded, which led to a final suggestion by the 

authors that C. asiatica extract has a positive effect on memory 

that is also related to its remarkable antioxidant effect. The 

same research group subjected this extract to passive avoidance 

and spontaneous locomotor activity behavioral tests using 

pentylenetetrazole-(PTZ-) induced memory loss in rats at 100 

and 300 mg/kg (b.w.) doses. After the behavioral tests, the rat 

brains' MDA and glutathione levels were assessed as oxidative 

stress markers, which are strongly linked to neurodegeneration. 

As a result, all test parameters significantly improved when the 

extracts were administered at the specified levels [24]. 

Cardioprotective activity: Laboratory-bred Sprague–Dawley 

rats of either sex weighing 200–350 g were selected. The rats 

were maintained under standard laboratory conditions at 

25±2 °C, relative humidity. In Group-I (control) animals, the 

percentage of left ventricular necrosis was reported to be 

50.911.90. PLVN was considerably and dose-dependently 

reduced in the treated groups. Lipid peroxide concentrations 

were observed to be 27.571.42 nmol ml1 in serum and 

109.242.77 nmol g1 in cardiac tissue in Group-I animals. 

Whereas in the treated groups, the lipid peroxide levels were 

found to be 17.68±0.91 nmol ml−1, 12.20±0.86 nmol ml−1, and 

5.85±0.5 nmol ml−1 in serum [25]. 

Skin protective activity: During clinical irradiation, Centella 

asiatica may help avoid radiation-induced behavioral 

abnormalities. The plant extract exhibited radioprotective 

qualities, and the pretreatment of mice with it before gamma 

radiation exposure was successful in preventing radiation-

induced liver damage. Extractsd obtai- ned under different 

extraction conditions show different extraction patterns, as well 

as different extraction yields, possibly due to the different 

polarities, the solubility of the solvents, and the effects of the 

extraction temperature [26]. 



Ashoka S M et al.                                                                                         A review on ayurvedic herb Centella asiatica 

Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Jan - Mar 2023                                                                                     Indian J Pharm Drug Studies | 20  

Memory enhancing activity: Results of the preliminary 

screening showed that oral administration of C. asiatica for 

fifteen days enhanced the learning and memory in three months 

old mice as assessed by the radial arm maze test. Spatial 

memory is frequently tested using the radial arm maze. The 

number of accurate entries increased dose-dependently during 

the radial arm maze test. It can be shown from this that the 

extract improved cognitive abilities in young adult mice [27]. 

Wound healing effect: The effect is observed with a quicker 

wound contraction, probably owing to the stimulation of 

fibronectin and collagen I synthesis and matrix remodeling. 

These two are characteristic of the proliferative stage of the 

wound healing process. Additionally, it has been discovered 

that C. asiatica is effective in maintaining connective tissue and 

bolstering veins that are weak. As a result, its use may be 

advantageous for the treatment of hypertensive 

microangiopathy and venous insufficiency. Its oral 

supplementation has been demonstrated to promote fibroblast 

division after injury in addition to collagen synthesis and 

cellular proliferation. Additionally, it might improve wound 

contraction and re-epithelialization in incision model wounds 

(p 0.001). C. asiatica has also been shown to improve the 

tensile strength of the newly formed skin of the wound in 

animal studies, which could lead to a decrease in the wound 

area and faster healing [28]. 

Hepatoprotective activity: A safety evaluation using rodents 

to determine appropriate conditions to use. By conducting the 

'single and 14-day repeated oral study in rodents', we confirmed 

that the non-toxic amount of CA-HE50 was 2 g/kg/day. 

Therefore, a study on the protective effect of CA-HE50 on the 

liver using CA-HE50 doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day. Due 

to the strain of metabolism on the liver, liver enlargement and 

edema frequently arise when liver failure is caused. The study 

found that when APAP was used to cause liver damage, the 

weight of the liver decreased (p 0.05). When APAP caused liver 

toxicity, a decrease in liver weight took place between six and 

twenty-four hours later and was accompanied by a rise in blood 

ALT and AST values, which suggested liver cell lysis. We gave 

APAP, just like in the first trial, and weighed the liver 24 hours 

later. The decrease in liver weight caused by APAP in our study 

was likely due to liver cell injury (lysis) caused by APAP 

toxicity. Provision of 200 mg/kg CA-HE50, however, 

prevented the APAP-induced decrease in liver weight. Thus 

CA-HE50 helps to protect against liver injury [29]. 

Anti-cancer activity: Asiatic acid was evaluated for 

antiproliferative effect in lung cancer cells using MTT assay. 

Oral administration of AA inhibited weight and tumor volume 

significantly in the lung cancer xenograft model. In a different 

study, asiatic acid demonstrated dose-dependently triggered 

apoptosis and lowered viability in human melanoma SK-MEL-

2 cells.  It reduced the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression 

levels, and the probable mechanism of AA may be connected 

to the suppression of signal transduction carried out by FAK. 

Asiatic acid, asiaticoside, and madecassic acid was the major 

component of the titrated extract of C. asiatica, and asiaticoside 

reduces melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma by 

checking tyrosinase mRNA expression [30]. 

Anti-bacterial activity: Methanol hot extract from C. asiatica 

leaves was taken to check the antibacterial activity which was 

assessed by zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory 

concentration (MIC) value (2 µg/disc) by disc diffusion 

method. In a study, it was discovered that essential oil extract 

had antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and 

Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella sonnei, with MIC 

values ranging from 1.25 to 0.039 mg/ml. Bacillus cereus and 

Listeria monocytogenes 10403S were selected to study the 

antibacterial activity in C. asiatica under both normal and 

osmotic stress conditions. At 95% ethanolic extract, 

antibacterial activity was enhanced twice under osmotic stress 

conditions [31].  

Anti-fungal activity: The petroleum ether, ethanol, 

chloroform, n-hexane, and aqueous extract of C. asiatica 

showed activity against Aspergillus niger and C. albicans with 

a zone of inhibition of 14, 16, 13, 13, and11 mm and 13, 15, 15, 

11, and 9 mm, respectively. The control ketoconazole (10 g) 

demonstrated a 12 mm inhibition. When Aspergillus flavus was 

exposed to an ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica, Penicillium 

citrinum showed the greatest antifungal activity (% mycelial 

inhibition = 26.3 mm).100% ethanolic extract of C. asiatica 

showed a zone of inhibition of 15.4 mm against A. niger [32]. 

Antioxidant: C. asiatica extract and powder were evaluated for 

a reduction in oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats. Results 

showed a decrease in the generation of ROS and oxidative 

stress in the rats. Essential oil of C. asiatica extracted through 

steam distillation showed to be an excellent antioxidant for food 

containing lipids. Its activity was quite comparable with the 

synthetic antioxidant butyl hydroxyanisole (BHA). Polyphenol, 

flavonoid, β-carotene, tannin, Vitamin C, and DPPH 

compounds are readily found in C. asiatica contributing to 

significantly higher antioxidant activity in the herb. Crude 

methanolic extract on continuous supplementation for 14 days 

increased the level of antioxidant enzymes and the ascorbic acid 

level was reduced in lymphoma-bearing mice [33]. 

Anti-depressant: Compared to diazepam C. asiatica possesses 

an antianxiety effect but does not affect behavioral despair. 

Total triterpenes and imipramine from C. asiatica were 

evaluated for antidepressant activity using a forced swimming 

test, the result showed a reduction in stillness duration and 

regulated amino acid levels. In another study, a decrease in 

corticosterone levels in serum and enhanced 5-HT, NE, DA, 

and their metabolites 5-HIAA and MHPG in rat brains were 

observed. The standardized extract showed a reversal of 



Ashoka S M et al.                                                                                         A review on ayurvedic herb Centella asiatica 

Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Jan - Mar 2023                                                                                     Indian J Pharm Drug Studies | 21  

physiological and behavioral changes following OBX-induced 

depression in rats. A forced swim test was performed in male 

Sprague-Dawley rats treated with asiatic acid [34]. 

Traditional uses: Centella asiatica has traditionally been used 

to treat a variety of ailments. Triterpene fractions, which make 

up the majority of C. asiatica's constituents, have a wide range 

of protective and therapeutic benefits. One of these effects is a 

significant influence on collagen synthesis and deposition 

during wound healing. Several microcirculatory issues, skin 

inflammation (eczema, atopic dermatitis, leprosy, varicose 

ulcers, etc.), fever, intestinal issues, and genitourinary diseases 

are all treated with titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA). 

Due to the presence of several saponin constituents, such as 

asiaticosside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and some other 

bioactive compounds, C. asiatica exhibits a wide range of 

pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, 

antidepressant, antiemetic, antineoplastic, antioxidant, 

antithrombotic, anxiolytic, gastroprotective, immunomo-

dulatory, antigenotoxic, nerve regenerative, reproductive, and 

wound healing. 

CONCLUSION 

Centella asiatica is a well-known plant in Indian medicine, and 

folk medicine believes it can help with heart and hepatic 

problems, ulcers, and other ailments. Plant components 

including leaves, fruit, stem, and even roots are utilized for a 

variety of uses. Chemically, Centella asiatica includes amino 

acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, essential oils, and alkaloids 

among other physiologically active phytoco- nstituents. It is 

also important in a variety of disorders for which there is plenty 

of scientific evidence and data. In essence, Centella asiatica is 

a versatile medicinal plant. 

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How to cite this article: Ashoka Shenoy M, Vinisha Seema 

Dsouza, Ramkrishna Shabaraya A. An update on the 

ayurvedic herb Centella asiatica. Indian J Pharm Drug 

Studies. 2023; 2(1) 17-22. 

Funding: None                   Conflict of Interest: None Stated 

 
 

 


