Centella Asiatica Extract/Gotu Kola

#GotuKola #CentellaAsiatica #Skincare #wound #AntiStretchMark #Antiaging #Anti-Acne

Centella Asiatica is a plant that is known as Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort, Gotu kola, Brahmi, or Tiger Grass, is a south Asian therapeutic herb that has been used for hundreds of years in traditional Asian medicine. It is recommended particularly for dermatological disorders;?To cure tiny wounds, scratches, burns, hypertrophic wound healing, and as an anti-inflammatory agent, especially in eczema.

It is also used in folk medicine as an antipyretic, diuretic, rheumatic, antibacterial, and antiviral medicine, as well as for boosting cognition, reducing anxiety, and acting as an anti-cancer agent. C. Asiatica was once used to treat epilepsy, hysteria, leprosy, minor itching, and bug bites (Bilka et al 2013, Gohil et al 2010, )

The most important ingredients of the plant are called?triterpenoid?saponins. The four isolated compounds that are tested and included in skincare are?asiaticoside,?Asiatic acid,?madecassic acid, and?madecassoside acid. Sometimes they’re used on their own in formulations and sometimes labeled as Centella Asiatica extract.They are responsible for the plant's skin benefits. Fatty acids, flavonoids, vitamin B, vitamin C, and amino acids are all included in Centella asiatica's chemical makeup (Singh ?et al, 2010; Boju et al 2020)

Skin Benefits of Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica extract is able to penetrate the skin well enough to be utilized effectively and has been known to treat wounds and burns for centuries. This has been shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies which back its effectiveness in wound healing. The way it does that is by promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, as well as inhibiting the inflammatory phase of scars. It has also been observed that the triterpenoid components stimulate?glycosaminoglycan, especially hyaluronic acid production.

• Anti-Ageing

Due to this ability of CA to increase collagen (type I & III) production, research suggests that it can have anti-aging capabilities and can be used in treating photoaging skin as well. It can help the skin retain a plump and youthful appearance.

• Soothing

Moreover, the Centella Asiatica extract has been shown to reduce skin irritation by repairing the skin barrier function. Its constituents?help decrease redness and inflammation and relieve itchy skin due to their soothing and healing properties. This is one of the reasons why it’s used in products for people with sensitive and acneic skin. It speeds healing, improves overall acne severity, and prevents future blemishes and scarring.

More benefits of the Centella Asiatica extract include?antioxidant-boosting effects, antibacterial properties, hydration, and reduced transepidermal water loss, as well as photoprotection.

• Hydrating

CA can be good for those who use medication or ingredients that can be drying to the skin, like acne-fighting products, to not only soothe inflammation but hydrate the dry areas, too.

Other than products labeled as Centella Asiatica or cica, you may have also noticed skincare formulated with only Madecassoside.?Madecassoside?is a very popular ingredient for acne-prone skin because it controls inflammation and stimulates the production of type III collagen, which is the second most abundant?collagen?in human tissues (whereas?asiaticoside?stimulates type I collagen). One study has also demonstrated significant benefits of Madecassoside use in the inhibition of hyperpigmentation caused by UV irradiation.

So, to sum up, the benefits Centella Asiatica extract could have when applied to the skin:

• Combats and reduces inflammation.
• Speeds wound healing and recovery.
• Improves circulation.
• Boosts collagen.
• Hydrates.
• Increased skin resilience.
• Antioxidant-boosting effects.
• Antibacterial properties.
• Pigment-fading and photoprotection.

Centella Asiatica and the Treatment of Wounds

Centella Asiatica's potential to enhance wound healing was one of the first skin benefits discovered. In fact, this is one of the most researched benefits of the plant, with a huge number of in vitro and in vivo scientific studies to back it up [Bylka, W et al 2013].

According to studies, its ability to increase collagen synthesis and reduce inflammation lends itself to be an effective wound healer. One study suggested that wounds treated with TECA and the extracted triterpenoids (Asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticoside) had higher protein and collagen levels, as well as greater?collagen matrix remodeling. Furthermore, the extracts were able to boost glycosaminoglycan synthesis, especially hyaluronic acid [Maquart et al 1999].

Centella Asiatica extract in other forms has been shown to reduce hypertrophic scar formation [Bylka W et al 2013] and boost antioxidant levels in freshly produced skin tissue [Shukla et al 1999].

Anti-Stretch-Mark and Anti-Cellulite Benefits of Centella Asiatica

Cellulite is caused by an increase in the number of fat cells or a decrease in connective tissue integrity, which results in fat 'bulging' through the connective tissue and constriction of small blood vessels [Bylka et al 2013]. This gives the appearance of dimpled and 'lumpy'?skin, most commonly seen around the thighs and buttocks.

Cellulite treatments generally focus on changing fat tissue and connective tissue, as well as improving circulation. Centella Asiatica extracts can improve microcirculation and regulate connective tissue cell metabolism.

In one study, 60?individuals?who suffered from cellulite?used Madecassol,??a Centella Asiatica extract, four times a day for four months.? Results showed?it significantly improved the appearance of cellulite in 85 percent of cases [Brinkhaus et al 2000]. When taken orally, Centella Asiatica extracts have shown similar benefits [Rossi et al 2000].

According to a study by Mallol et al (1991), Centella Asiaticextracts may help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. A cream containing Centella Asiatica extract, vitamin E, hydrolyzed collagen, and elastin, was applied daily to the breasts, abdomen, buttocks, and hips of 50 pregnant women, while another 50 pregnant women received a placebo cream.

In this study, stretch marks were experienced by 56 percent (22 out of 39) of the women in the placebo group and 34 percent (14 out of 41) of the women in the treatment group. Furthermore, the severity of the stretch marks experienced by the treatment group was less severe than that of the placebo group. Interestingly, in women who had a history of stretch marks during puberty, the Centella Asiaticacream provided future protection from stretch marks. ‘In women with a history of striae during puberty, the active cream induced significant absolute prevention in 89% of the cases whereas in the placebo group all the women developed striae’ [ibid].

Anti-aging Benefits of Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica was found to be effective at increasing collagen production, particularly type I collagen, in studies on wound healing. Because collagen production and the amount of collagen in the skin decrease with age, this study suggested that Centella Asiatica may have anti-aging properties.

One study looked at the effects of 0.1 percent madecassoside combined with 5% vitamin C applied topically to the skin of 20 female participants. Biometrological tests revealed a significant improvement in skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration after 6 months of use [Hafte et al 2008].

Madecassoside is thought to increase collagen expression by activating specific signaling pathways, whereas vitamin C stimulates collagen production in fibroblasts and regulates the enzymes that break down collagen. This means that when combined, madecassoside and vitamin C may be especially effective at increasing collagen levels in the skin due to their different mechanisms of action creating an 'additive' effect [Bylka et al 2013].

Anti-Acne

Acne, as a disease of the pilosebaceous unit (Beltrami et al), is characterized by the ‘plugging of pores, the overproduction of oil, and the results of bacterial colonization of the sebaceous follicle (oil gland)’(Danby 2014)

In a 2001 study, Beltrami and colleagues studied the effects of a herbal cream containing Gotu kola on 30 participants with varying degrees of facial acne. Out of the 30, 15 were given the herbal cream and the other 15 were given the same cream and a placebo oral medication. The participants were not allowed to administer any other acne treatments. Following the trial, their skin was evaluated for hydration, sebum levels, skin brightness, and erythema, Following 90 days of treatment topica! anti-acne cream and topica! antiacne plus placebo had a positive therapeutic effect on acne. The treatment was found to improve overall acne severity, reduced sebum production, and prevented acne-related scarring in additional studies [Beltrami et al 2001].

As seen above, Centella Asiatica has been shown to reduce inflammation, and increase collagen production which affects wound healing, all of which can help with reducing acne symptoms.

One characteristic of acne is microbial (bacterial and fungal) infection. Centella Asiatica has also been shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of bacteria species, including E. coli and S. aureus (Soyingbe et al 2018]. The antibacterial activity of Centella Asiatica root extract appears to be superior to those of Centella Asiatica leaf extract. Both, however, appear to be helpful in lowering specific bacteria, yeast, and fungi strains [Nasution et al 2018].

Other Benefits

Anti-inflammatory and Moisturising

In a mouse model of atopic dermatitis, TECA was also reported to reduce skin inflammation and allergic reaction [14]. Other types of Centella Asiatica extract have shown similar results, suggesting that Centella Asiatica may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders [Ho et al 2018].

Centella Asiatica extracts were found to have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects in other studies. Centella Asiatica extracts when applied twice daily to the skin, enhanced skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) after one week and continued to do so after four weeks. Centella Asiatica extracts also reduced skin irritation by restoring the skin barrier function, reducing redness, and lowering the pH of the skin [Ratz Lyko et al 2016].

As an antioxidant Booster

As previously stated, a Centella Asiatica extract was able to increase antioxidant levels in newly formed skin tissue. For example, twice-daily topical application of 0.2 percent asiaticoside for 7 days increased superoxide dismutase by 35%, catalase by 67%, glutathione peroxidase by 49%, vitamin E by 77%, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) by 36%. Furthermore, it reduced lipid peroxide levels by 69%. More than 7 days of topical Centella Asiatica extract application did not appear to increase antioxidant levels [Shukla et al 1999].

Oral treatment with Centella Asiatica extracts shows similar antioxidant-boosting properties, suggesting that it could be therapeutic for oxidative stress-related disorders [Veerendra-Kumar et al 2003].

Sun Protection

TECA has been shown to protect skin from UVB-induced damage [ An et al 2012], suggesting that Centella Asiatica extracts may also protect skin from sun damage.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an ingredient to use to support anti-aging, anti-acne, and body contouring products, Gotu kola is probably a good choice. There are a variety of extracts on the market. Many appear to be hydro glycolic extracts that are water-soluble. It is also possible to get the active components of Centella i.e the triterpenoid saponins such as Madecassoside or asiaticoside.

As a plant extract manufacturer for 30 years, Centella Asiatica Extract is one of our bestsellers, please contact Jane for further discussion.