What is Gotu Kola?
Centella asiatica (C.A), popularly referred to as Gotu kola, is a clonal, herbaceous plant creeper from the family Umbellifere (Apiceae). It grows in damp areas up to an elevation of 1800 m throughout all of India. It also grows in swampy places throughout the majority of tropical and subtropical nations, as well as sections of Pakistan, Madagascar, South Pacific, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the and Eastern Europe1.
It is an odorless, flavorless plant that grows best in and near water. It features white, light purple to pink, or white flowers and tiny oval fruit on fan-shaped green leaves.
What active constituents are present in Gotu Kola?
The main characteristic of Centella asiatica is its high concentration of pentacyclic triterpenoids (C30), commonly known as centelloids3.
The main chemical components of Centella asiatica are saponins, also known as triterpenoids. These include asiaticosides, which have a trisaccharide group attached to the aglycones of madasiatic acid, asiatic acid and madecassoside1.
Bioactivity of Gotu Kola
Numerous investigations have shown that Centella asiatica possesses wound healing activity, anticancer properties, antioxidant properties, antibacterial properties and antileprotic action. The impact of asiaticoside in Centella asiatica has been identified as having potential use in multifunctional cosmetic products because it increases collagen production4.
Clinical Evidence
Centella asiatica has been seen to exhibit potential wound healing activity. Extracts from Centella asiatica have been used therapeutically to treat persistent wound infections. Rats were used to examine the effects of aqueous extracts that were prepared as cream and gel on wound repair. The results showed that the extracts lead to accelerated epithelialization and a greater amount of wound closure4.
Additionally, Centella asiatica has been observed to have an effect on the skin. Asiaticoside from Centella asiatica has been seen to increase the production of type 1 collagen, a skin aging blocker, in human dermal fibroblast cells, which is why it was suggested to use it in treating hypertrophic scars and keloids. Pruritis and other skin conditions responded favourably to the alcoholic solution of Centella asiatica4.
There has also been clinical evidence of Centella asiatica exhibiting anticancer activity. An in vitro study was conducted, in which human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were exposed to a methanolic extract of Centella asiatica which resulted in the cell death of these cancer cells4.
Can I find Gotu Kola in Copper Hawk Natural Animal First Aid?
Gotu Kola has been proven to exhibit potential therapeutic effects based on promising clinical evidence and has been seen to be present in various skin products. Copper Hawk Natural Animal First Aid is a product that is used as a barrier ointment to protect minor wounds. It is a petrolatum-based infusion of 5 natural herbal extracts, including Gotu Kola. For your horse, cat or dog at home, purchase this Copper Hawk product for the full experience of these promising benefits! Copper Hawk | Natural Animal First Aid
References
- Gohil, Kashmira J et al. “Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all.” Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences vol. 72,5 (2010): 546-56. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.78519
- Muller, Mason. “Centella Asiatica Medicinal Uses And Pictures (Gotu Kola)”. Home Remedies & Best Natural Treatment, 2022, https://www.homeremediess.com/centella-asiatica-medicinal-uses-and-pictures/.
- Gray, Nora E et al. “Centella asiatica – Phytochemistry and mechanisms of neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement.” Phytochemistry reviews : proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe vol. 17,1 (2018): 161-194. doi:10.1007/s11101-017-9528-y
- Yasurin, Patchanee & Sriariyanun, Malinee & Phusantisampan, Theerawut. (2015). Review: The Bioavailability Activity of Centella asiatica. KMUTNB International Journal of Applied Science and Technology. 9. 1-9. 10.14416/j.ijast.2015.11.001.