Abstract
The medicinal herb Centella asiatica (L.) Urban known as gotu kola has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. In particular, a significant body of scientific research exists on the therapeutic properties of preparations of C. asiatica or its triterpenes in the treatment of skin diseases. The present study is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the beneficial effects of C. asiatica on skin diseases. Peer-reviewed articles on the potent dermatological effects of C. asiatica were acquired from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder. This review provides an understanding of pharmacological studies which confirm the potent dermatological effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of C. asiatica. This medicinal plant and its triterpenes include asiaticoside, madecassoside, and their aglycones, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. These compounds exert therapeutic effects on dermatological diseases such as acne, burns, atopic dermatitis, and wounds via NF-κB, TGF-β/Smad, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, and STAT signaling in in vitro and in vivo studies. However, additional rigorously controlled long-term clinical trials will be necessary to confirm the full potential of C. asiatica as a therapeutic agent.
Highlights
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is a perennial plant that grows in swampy areas of tropical and subtropical regions of India, Southeast Asia, and Malaysia, as well as some temperate regions of China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan [1]. e herb, known as gotu kola or Indian pennywort, is a valued medicinal plant widely used in the Orient to treat infectious skin diseases and accelerate the healing of skin ulcers and wounds
Secondary metabolites found in the aerial parts of C. asiatica are classified into pentacyclic triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, plant sterols, and saponins [3]. e herb is rich in pentacyclic triterpenoids (C30), of which the most abundant bioactive substances include asiaticoside, madecassoside, and their aglycones, asiatic acid and madecassic acid [1]
One study mentioned above [70] reported the dermal distribution of madecassoside and asiaticoside in a standardized extract of C. asiatica after oral dosing in rats, the cutaneous absorption rate of the active principles of topical application of C. asiatica has yet to be to be measured. us, further investigation is needed to understand the dermal distribution of these compounds and their metabolites
Summary
Division of BT Convergence, College of Engineering, Cheongju University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea. E medicinal herb Centella asiatica (L.) Urban known as gotu kola has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. A significant body of scientific research exists on the therapeutic properties of preparations of C. asiatica or its triterpenes in the treatment of skin diseases. E present study is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the beneficial effects of C. asiatica on skin diseases. Peer-reviewed articles on the potent dermatological effects of C. asiatica were acquired from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder. Is review provides an understanding of pharmacological studies which confirm the potent dermatological effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of C. asiatica. Ese compounds exert therapeutic effects on dermatological diseases such as acne, burns, atopic dermatitis, and wounds via NF-κB, TGF-β/Smad, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, and STAT signaling in in vitro and in vivo studies. Additional rigorously controlled long-term clinical trials will be necessary to confirm the full potential of C. asiatica as a therapeutic agent
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