| [English Name] | Asiatic Pennywort Herb | |
| [Chinese Name] | 积雪草 | |
| [Pinying Name] | Jixuecao | |
| [Latin Name] | Herba Centellae | |
| [Genera] | Umbelliferae | |
| [Efficacy] | Damp-clearing drug | |
| [Pictures] | Plant picture | Drug picture |
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| [Alias] | ||
| [Source] | Centella asiatica (L.) Urban |
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| [Plant morphology] | ||
| [Distribution] | ||
| [Gathering and processing] | ||
| [Characteristics] | ||
| [Ecology] | It grow in dank grass land、field side、ditch side at the altitude between 200 to 1990 metres. | |
| [Chemical composition] | ||
| [Pharmacological activities] |
1 Anti-tumor Activity: Asiaticoside inducedapoptosis in KB cells. Asiaticoside, as a biochemical modulator, may induceapoptosis, and enhance anti tumor activity of vincristine in cancer cells,might be useful in cancer chemotherapy [1]. Asiatic acid induces apoptosis inSK-MEL-2 human melanoma cells Inhibitory effects of Centella asiatica onazoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt focus formation and carcinogenesis in theintestines of F344 rats. AA also markedly increased intracellular reactive oxygenspecies (ROS) level and enhanced the expression of Bax but not Bcl-2 protein inthe cells [2]. In addition, AA-induced activation of caspase-3 activity in adose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with Trolox, an antioxidant, significantlyblocked the induction of Bax and activation of caspase-3 in AA-treated cells.Furthermore, Ac-DEVD-CHO, a specific caspase-3 inhibitor, and Trolox preventedthe AA-induced apoptosis.GCA could prominently enhance the thymus index, phagocytic percentage ofmacrophage and quantitative hemolysis of cock red blood cells in miceimmunosuppressed by CTX. GCA could remarkbaly enhance the thymus and spleenindexes, phagocytic percentage of macrophage, quantitative hemolysis of cockred blood cells and the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes in miceimmunosuppressed byγray. GCA at dose of 50.0 mg/kg could also increase thelevel of IL-2 and SOD in serum [3]. 2 Heart-blood vessel system: The rats administered withadriamycin (2.5 mg/kg body wt, i.p) caused myocardial damage that wasmanifested by the elevation of serum marker (LDH, CPK, GOT and GPT) enzymes andshowed significant changes in the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST).Pre-co-treatment with Centellaasiatica(200 mg/kg of body wt/oral) extract significantly prevented thesealterations and restored the enzyme activities to near normal levels [4]. MChas the protective effect on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury whichpossibly contributes to the inhibition of ROS and Calcium overload,antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis by upregulated with theexpression of Bcl-2 and ATP. A dose (100–1000 mg kg−1) dependent reduction inpercent left ventricle necrosis (PLVN) as well as in lipid peroxide levels wasobserved in rats treated with alcoholic extract of Hydrocotyle asiatica L. orally for 7 days compared tocontrol animals. The study strongly suggests the cardioprotectiveactivityof Hydrocotyleasiatica L. in limiting ischemia -reperfusion induced myocardial injury[5]. 3 Wound-healingpromoting：Asiaticosidesenhanced induction of antioxidant levels at an initial stage of healing whichmay be an important contributory factor in the healing properties of thissubstance [6-8]. 4 Anti-gastriculceration：Different concentrations of CE andAC were orally administered to rats with kissing ulcers. They were found toreduce the size of the ulcers at day 3 and 7 in a dose-dependent manner, with aconcomitant attenuation of myeloperoxidase activity at the ulcer tissues.Epithelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis were on the other hand promoted.The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor, an important angiogenicfactor, was also upregulated in the ulcer tissues in rats treated with CE orAC. These results further suggest the potential use of Centella asiatica andits active ingredient as anti-gastric ulcers drugs [9]. 5 Anti-depression:Significant reduction of the corticosterone level in serum and increase of thecontents of 5-HT, NE, DA and their metabolites 5-HIAA, MHPG in rat brain wereobserved. Conclusion: The antidepressant effect of total triterpenes ofCentella asiatica may be involved in ameliorating the function of HPA axis andincreasing the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters imipramine and totaltriterpenes from centella asiatica reduced the immobility time and amelioratedthe imbalance of amino acid levels The total triterpenes from centella asiaticahad antidepressant activity. Gotukola, its methanol and ethyl acetate extracts as wellas the pure asiaticoside, imparted anxiolytic activity.Furthermore, the asiaticoside did not affect locomotor activity, suggestingthese compounds do not have sedative effects in rodents [10,11]. 6 Immunologicalregulation：asiatica (0.18% of asiaticoside) at five dose levels (dose-responserelationship) ranging from 100 to 500 mg/kg body wt. using carbon clearance,antibody titer and cyclophosphamide immunosuppression parameters. In the caseof E. alba, the phagocyticindex and antibody titer increased significantly and the F ratios of thephagocytic index and WBC count were also significant. Regression analysisshowed linearity in patterns of the dose-response relationship, greatest in thecase of the phagocytic index, moderate in the WBC count and lowest in theantibody titer. For C. asiatica,significant increases in the phagocytic index and total WBC count were observedand the F ratio of the phagocytic index was also significant. Regressed valuesrevealed maximum linearity in the case of the phagocytic index, moderatelinearity in the total WBC count and lowest linearity in the antibody response[12,13]. 7 Nerves-functionrecovering：Centella asiaticaethanolic extract (100 μg mL−1) elicits a marked increase in neuriteoutgrowth in human SH-SY5Y cells in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF).However, a water extract of Centellawas ineffective at 100 μg mL−1. Sub-fractions of Centella ethanolic extract, obtainedthrough silica-gel chromatography, were tested (100 μg mL−1) forneurite elongation in the presence of NGF. Greatest activity was found with anon-polar fraction (GKF4). Relatively polar fractions (GKF10 to GKF13) alsoshowed activity, albeit less than GKF4. Thus, Centella contains more than one active component. Asiatic acid(AA), a triterpenoid compound found in Centellaethanolic extract and GKF4, showed marked activity at 1 μm (0.5 μg mL−1). AA was notpresent in GKF10 to GKF13, further indicating that other active components mustbe present. Neurite elongation by AA was completely blocked by theextracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibitor PD 098059 (10 μm). Male Sprague-Dawley rats given Centella ethanolic extract in theirdrinking water (300–330 mg kg−1 daily) demonstrated more rapidfunctional recovery and increased axonal regeneration (larger calibre axons andgreater numbers of myelinated axons) compared with controls, indicating thatthe axons grew at a faster rate. Taken together, our findings indicate thatcomponents in Centellaethanolic extract may be useful for accelerating repair of damaged neurons [14]. 8 Antivirus：An inhibition of the production ofinfectious HSV-2 virions from infected Vero cells could also be demonstrated.Combinations of each of these reconstituted extractswith 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl) guanosine (acyclovir; ACV) resulted either insubadditive, additive, or synergistic interaction, against HSV-2, depending onthe dose of ACV used; mixture of C. asiatica and M. indica exertedan additive effect in a similar assay. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects ofthese plant extracts were also substantiated by flowcytometric analysis of virus-specific antigens in theinfected cells. The active constituent present in C. asiatica extract was determined to be asiaticoside while in M.indica was mangiferin. Thus, these data suggest therapeutic potential ofthese plant extracts [6,15]. 9 Anti-inflammation：Tetrandrineand Madecassol are able to reduce acute radiation reactions by theiranti-inflammatory activity [16]. 10 The others: Asiatica extract can influence the neuronalmorphology and promote the higher brain function of juvenile and young adultmice. antiepileptic,Alzheimer’ s disease,auxiliary root planning[17-21]. |
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| [Clinical trial] | 1. Infectious hepatitis: 10 cases of patients were treated with Jixuecao, seven days as one course of treatment. Results showed that three patients’ appetite had improved, Jaundice subsidized, nausea and vomiting were disappeared after four days oral administration. Five cases’ jaundice subsidized combined with the improvement of digestive symptoms. Two cases’ hepatomegaly were disappeared after two course of treatment, five cases hepatomegaly were disappeared after three course of treatment and three cases hepatomegaly were disappeared after four course of treatment[1]. 2. Injuries from falls fractures contusions and strains traumatic injury: herbs were grind into powder and taken, combined with the treatment of massage and anti inflammation drugs, 14 days as one course of treatment. 100 cases were treated, 66 cases were cure, 24 cases had significant effect, eight cases’ condition had improved, two cases were invalid, the overall effective rate was 98% [2]. |
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| [Traditional usage] |
1.Common cold with headache 2.Exogenous fever, polydipsia and delirium 3.Cough due to lung heat 4. Asthma 5. Incessant fever induced by consumptive disease (aversion to cold inthe afternoon, fever at night but return to normal with spontaneous sweating at dawn) 6. Dysentery 7. Infectious icterohepatitis 8. Acute cholecystitis 9. Enlargement of liver |
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| [References] |
Pharmacological Actions: [1] Yun-hong Huang, Sheng-hua Zhang, Rui-xian Zhen et al., Asiaticoside Inducing Apoptosis of Tumor Cells and Enhancing Anti-tumor Activity of Vincristine, Chinese Journal of Cancer, 2004, 23 (12): 1599.[2] [3] Bunpo P, KataokaK, ArimochiH, et al. Inhibitory effects of Centella asiatica on azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt focus formation and carcinogenesis in the intestines ofF344 rats. Food Chem Toxicol, 2004, 42 (12): 1987. [4] Gnanapragasam A, Ebenezar KK, Sathish V, et al. Protective effectofCentella asiatica on antioxidant tissue defense system against adriamycin induced cardiomyopathy in rats. Life Sci, 2004, 76 (5): 585. [5] Pragada RR, VeeravalliKK, Chowdary KP, et al. Cardioprotective activity of Hydrocotyle asiatica L. in ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardial infarction in rats. J Ethnopharmacol, 2004, 93 (1): 105. [6] Chinese Medicinal Plant Resources Development Institute. Medicine Chi (VI). 2nd edition. [7] Maquart FX, Chastang F, Simeon A, et al. Triterpenes from Centella asiatica stimulate extracellularmatrix accumulation in ratexperimentalwounds. Eur JDermatol, 1999, 9 (4): 289. [8] ShuklaA, Rasik AM, Dhawan BN, et al. Asiaticoside-induced elevation of antioxidant levels in healingwounds. Phytother Res, 1999, 13 (1): 44. [9] ChengCL, Guo JS, Luk J, et al. The healing effects of Centella extract and asiaticoside on acetic acid induced gastric ulcers in rats. Life Sci, 2004, 74 (18): 2237. [10] W ijeweera P, Arnason JT, KoszyckiD, et al. Evaluation of anxiolytic properties of Gotukola-(Centella asiatica) extracts and asiaticoside in ratbehavioralmodels. Phytomedicine, 2006, 1: 90. [11] Yao Chen, Ting Han, Yao-cheng Na et al., Centella asiatica glycoside experimental depression of serum corticosterone and monoamine neurotransmitters in, Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials, 2005, 28 (6): 492. [12] Punturee K, W ild CP, KasinrerkW, et al. Immunomodulatory activities ofCentella asiatica and Rhinacanthus nasutus extracts. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2005, 6 (3): 396. [13] JayathirthaMG, Mishra SH. Preliminary immunomodulatory activities of methanol extracts of Eclipta alba and Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine, 2004, 11 (4): 361. [14] SoumyanathA, ZhongYP, Gold SA, et al. Centella asiatica accelerates nerve regeneration upon oral administration and containsmultiple active fractions increasing neurite elongation in-vitro. J Pharm Pharmacol, 2005, 57 (9): 1221. [15] Yoosook C, Bunyapraphatsara N, BoonyakiatY, et al. Antiherpes simplex virus activities of crude water extracts of Thai medicinal plants. Phyto medicine, 2000, 6 (6): 411. [16] Chen YJ, DaiYS, Chen BF, et al. The effect of tetrandrine and extracts of Centella asiatica on acute radiation dermatitis in rats. Biol Pharm Bull, 1999, 22 (7): 703. [17] Rao SB, Chetana M, Uma Devi P. Centella asiatica treatment during postnatal period enhances learning and memory in mice. Physiol Behav, 2005, 86 (4): 449. [18] GuptaYK, VeerendraKumarMH. Effect of Centella asiatica on pentylenetetrazole-induced kindling, cognition and oxidative stress in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 2003, 74 (3): 579. [19] VeerendraKumarMH, GuptaYK. Effect of Centella asiatica on cognition and oxidative stress in an intracerebroventricular treptozotocinmodel of Alzheimer 's disease in rats. Clin Exp PharmacolPhysiol, 2003, 30(5/6): 336. [20] SastravahaG, YotnuengnitP, Booncong P, et al. Adjunctive periodontal treatmentwith Centella asiatica and Punica granatum extracts. A preliminary study. J IntAcad Periodontol, 2003, 5 (4): 106. Clinical trial: [1]Chen Jie. Observation of therapeutic effect of Herba Centellae on Treating Infectious Hepatitis. [2]Huang YiShi. Clinical Observation of Herba Centellae on Treating Injuries from Falls Fractures Contusions and Strains Traumatic Injury. |
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