Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF GOTU KOLA (CENTELLA ASIATICA)

Mr. P. Jothiprakash*, Dr. C. Jothimanivannan, Mr. A. Mohammedkabeer, Mr. M. Suriya, Mr. P. Kesavan

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Abstract

The perennial herbaceous plant Centella asiatica, also referred to as gotu kola, is utilised extensively in traditional medical systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Jamu. Known for its wide range of pharmacological actions, gotu kola has become wellknown around the world as a powerful medicinal substance with antiinflammatory, anti-anxiety, wound-healing, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties. Triterpenoids including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid are the plant's main bioactive components and are primarily in charge of its therapeutic properties. According to scientific research, gotu kola promotes collagen production and angiogenesis, which improves cognitive function, maintains vascular integrity, and speeds up the healing of chronic wounds. Gotu Kola has shown promise as an adjuvant treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease by modulating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, because of its adaptogenic qualities, it may be used to treat stress-related illnesses and enhance mental clarity. Gotu Kola has a relatively good safety record, albeit in rare instances, excessive dosages or prolonged use may cause hepatic or dermatological side effects. Gotu Kola's phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and clinical significance are examined in this paper, with an emphasis on its uses in complementary medicine, neurology, and dermatology. Given its extensive ethnomedical background and recent scientific validation, gotu kola is a promising natural remedy that needs to be further studied through carefully planned clinical trials to ensure long-term safety, proper dosage, and efficacy.

Keywords: Gotu Kola, Centella asiatica, Phytochemical constituents, Pharmacological activities, Antioxidant activity, Traditional herbal medicine.