Bioaccessibility and cellular uptake of asiaticoside and asiatic acid from fresh Centella asiatica using simulated digestion and Caco‐2 human intestinal cells model

Abstract

Centella asiatica is widely used to treat various diseases in Asia and Europe for long time. This plant is claimed to have cytoprotective action such as anti-inflammation, anticancer and anti-lipid peroxidation. Interested one group of bioactive compounds in Centella asiatica is triterpenes which are asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassoside, madecassic acid, terminolic acid, arjunolic acid and asiaticoside-B. However, the mechanisms of absorption and tissue distribution of dietary asiaticoside and asiatic acid from Centella asiatica have received limited attention. The primary objective of this study was to determine the bioaccesscibility of these compounds following by investigation the effective delivery of asiaticoside and asiatic acid across the apical surface of Caco cells. Simulated digestion of Centella asiatica with and without bile salts was performed. The percentage of transferred asiaticoside and asiatic acid from the food matrix to aqueous fraction during simulated digestion of Centella asiatica was not different either presence or absence bile salts during the small intestinal phase. The efficiency of transfer was 50% for asiaticoside and asiatic acid. The transfer of asiaticoside and asiatic acid also was prepared for delivery to Caco-2 human intestinal cells by diluting of aqueous fraction and addition to cell cultures. Cellular uptake of asiaticoside and asiatic acid was investigated after 4 and 8 h. (Supported by United Nation Start Up Fund)