REVIEW   Free access

Esperienze Dermatologiche 2018 June;20(2 Suppl 1):4-8

DOI: 10.23736/S1128-9155.18.00457-0

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Centella asiatica: an old herbal cure with new potential applications

Stefano TOGNI ¹ ✉, Giada MARAMALDI ¹, Federico FRANCESCHI ¹, Antonella RIVA ¹, Roberto EGGENHOFFNER ², Luca GIACOMELLI ²

¹ Indena S.p.A., Milan, Italy; ² Department of Surgical Science and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Centella asiatica (CA), also known as “gotu kola,” is a medicinal plant native to the wetlands in several southeast Asian countries. In the traditional Far East medicine, CA has been used for centuries for the treatment of various conditions such as leprosy, varicose ulcers, eczema, diarrhea, fever, and respiratory infections. In Western medicine, CA - which is mainly used as an extract (CA selected triterpenes [CAST]) - is well known for its wide range of preventive and therapeutic properties, particularly on tissue repair and microcirculation. We discuss here available evidence on the current and potential therapeutic effects of CA derivatives, focusing on mechanisms of action, results from recent preclinical and clinical studies and current research prospects.

KEY WORDS: Centella asiatica extract - Dietary supplements - Topical administration