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Medicinal Plant details |
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Information |
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| Sanskrit Name |
Mandukparni, Mutthil (WOA, 1998). |
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| Common name in English |
Gotu kola, Kola, Indian pennywort, Indian ginseng, Horse-hoof grass, Pegaga, Mandookaparni, Tiger herbal, Spadeleaf, Tono.
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| Botanical Name |
Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban.
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| Parts Used |
Aerial parts, Whole herb |
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| Human Medicinal Usage |
It is a rich source of vitamin K, and also contains magnesium, calcium and other nutritional properties. Traditional uses for this plant include applications for various skin disorders, mental & physical fatigue, expelling parasites, hysteria, asthma, and varicose veins. The active constituents present in this plant can differ depending on where the raw material was gathered. Glycosides found in Indian pennywort include brahmoside, brahminoside and minor amounts of asiaticosides, whereas the Sri Lankan variety of Gotu Kola contains centelloside & triterpenic acids. Gotu Kola from Madagascar contains predominately asiaticosides & triterpenes. Gotu Kola has a calming effect on the body and is chiefly used to support the central nervous system. It helps alleviate fatigue, and reduce the effects of depression and insomnia. Gotu Kola may also be used to increase brain function, improving concentration and memory. Gotu Kola has a positive effect on circulation, improving the flow of blood throughout the body and and strengthening the veins and capillaries. Antibiotic properties found in Gotu Kola support the immune system and are especially beneficial in treating a variety of skin problems. Gotu Kola has been used to relieve symptoms related to colds and respiratory problems, including congestion, fevers and sore throats. Gotu Kola may also be used to support the heart, and promote healthy liver and kidney functions. Gotu Kola is also used to strengthen the vascular system, to strengthen connective tissue, and to treat vascular inflammation. It has traditionally been used to treat leprosy, as it helps break down the waxy coating of the leprosy baccillis so that it can be destroyed. Gotu Kola helps to detoxify the body of chemicals and drugs, and it has a revitalizing effect on the brain cells & nerves. Gotu Kola can also help stimulate collagen production when used both internally and topically on the skin. This herb also improves wound healing time by stimulating cellular mitosis, and is therefore used to treat burns, scarring (including keloids), psoriasis and eczema. Gotu Kola is becoming more frequently used in cosmetics for its regenerative properties, including hair loss." (http://www.viable-herbal.com/singles/herbs/s325.htm). " Systemic classifiction of Indications: CNS/NERVOUS : Neurological & mental disturbances (including Mental retardation, schizophrenia, stress, epilepsy, amnesia); Brain & nervous tonic, promotes mental calm & clarity; Insomnia. INTEGUMENTARY : Inflammations; Burns (2nd & 3rd degree-topical & systemic usage); Ulcers; Leprous sores; Cellulite; Poor wound healing (topical); Keloids; to Improve integrity of collagen matrix; Help treat & reduce scarring of surgery; Scleroderma; Stimulates hair & nail growth; Increases vascularization of connective tissue; Increases mucin formation & structural components of connective tissue; Increases tensile integrity of dermis; Stimulates stratum germinativum, increased keratinization of epidermis; Psoriasis; Dermatitis; Bed sores; Lupus erythematosus. MUSCULO/SKELETAL : Arthritis & rheumatism; Systemic sclerosis. CARDIOVASCULAR : Varicose veins; Enhances perivascular sheath connective tissue, reducing sclerosis & improving blood flow; Capillary fragility; Haemorrhoids; Anaemia; Phlebitis. HEPATIC : Cirrhosis of alcohol & unknown etiology. G.I.T. : Worms; Hypochlorhydria; Deficient pancreatic exocrine function; Anal fissures; Peptic ulcers. REPRODUCTIVE/URINARY : Lesions associated with pregnancy & delivery (including episiotomies); ulcerative conditions associated with radiation therapy; Heals & produces remarcable elasticity in above conditions; Fibrocystic breasts. E. N. & T. / RESPIRATORY : Asthma; Bronchitis; Clears upper respiratory tract during infect & chest tightness; Whooping cough; Tonsillitis; Rapid healing of tonsillectomy cavities; Promotes healing after radiotherapy of laryngectomy & pharyngolaryngectomy patients; T.B. of lungs; Enlarged glands; Peridontal conditions; as Snuff for Ozaena (Atrophic rhinitis, there is loss & shrinkage of the ciliated mucous membrane & of the turbinate bones)." (http://www.ion.com.au/~iridology/Centella.html)
The leaves of brahmi and giloy should be boiled together till they form a semi-solid mass, and given to help mentally challenged people recover.(Honey Bee, 9(4): 7, 1998) |
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| Synonyms |
Hydrocotyle asiatica L. |
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| Family |
Apiaceae
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| Description |
A prostrate, faintly aromatic, stoloniferous perennial herb, up to 2 m long, commonly found as a weed in crop fields and other waste places throughout India up to an altitude of 600 m. Stem glabrous, pink and striated,rooting at the nodes; leaves fleshy, orbicular-reniform, crenate-dentate, base cordate and often lobed, long-petioled, smooth on the upper surface and sparsely hairy on the lower; flowers red, pink or white, in fascicled umbels; fruits oblong, dull brown, laterally compressed, pericarp hard and thickened, woody, white (WOA, 1998).
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| Common Name in India |
Thankuni, Tholkuri (Bengali); Moti Brahmi (Brahmi); Brahma-manduki, Khulakhudi, Mandookaparni (Hindi); Brahmisoppu, Vandelaga- illikiwigidda (Kannada); Kodangal, muyalchevi (Malayalam); Karinga, Karivana (Marathi); Thalkudi (Oriya); Vallarai (Tamil); Brahmi, saraswataku (Telugu); Manimuni (Asameese) (WOA, 1998).
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| Habitat |
Widespread in damp ground, along roads, near swamps, in gardens (WOA, 1998).
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| Rainfall |
An average annual rainfall of 500 to 2000 mm is distributed in a monsoon pattern with droughts of 3-4 months. |
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| Soil (Physical/Chemical) |
The plant is found in abundance on moist, sandy or clayey soils, often in large clumps forming a dense green carpet.
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| Regional Distribution |
Found throughout in India (WOA, 1998). The plant is reported to occur also at higher altitudes of 1550 m in Sikkim and 1200 m in Mount Abu.
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| Global Distribution |
It has appeared in the wetlands of Asia. China, India, and Malaya are probably within its original range. It apparently spread through the South Pacific and to Mauritius, Madagascar, East and South Africa, Turkey, and the southeastern United States. |
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| Chemical composition |
Two glycosides, asiaticoside and madecassoside have been isolated from the plant. On hydrolysis, these glycosides yield the triterpene acids, asiatic acid and madegascaric acid (madecassic acid), respectively. Following glycosides viz., indocentelloside, brahmoside, brahminoside, asiaticoside, thankuniside and isothankuniside. The corresponding triterpene acids obtained on hydrolysis of the glycosides are: indocentoic, brahmic, asiatic, thankunic and isothankunic. Presence of mesoinositol, a new oligosaccharide, `centellose', kaempferol, quercetin and stigmasterol has also been reported. A fatty oil, tannin and a resinous substance. The major terpenoidal constituents identified in the ether extract of the herb are -caryophyllene, trans - -farnesene, germacrene-D and an unidentified terpenic acetate. Presence of sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol is also reported. The fatty oil consists of the glycerides of palmitic, stearic, lignoceric, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. An alkaloid, hydrocotylin has been isolated dried plant. A bitter principle, vellarine and pectic acid are present in the leaves and roots. |
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| Herbarium No |
0 |
REFERENCES |
| SR No. |
NAME |
ARTICLE TITLE |
AUTHOR |
PLACE OF PUBLICATION |
VOLUME/ISSUE |
YEAR |
PUBLISHER |
COMMENT |
| 1 |
Sachitra Ayurved.
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A multi approach comprehensive therapy model for HIV infection and Aids |
Agarwalla, SK. |
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44(11): 741-745. |
1992. |
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| 2 |
JRIM. |
The effect of mandookaparni (Centella asiatica) on the general mental ability (medhya) of mentally retarded children. |
Appa Rao, MVR, Kanchana, Srinivasan, Koteswara, Rao. |
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8(4): 9-16. |
1973 |
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| 3 |
Indian Journal of Psychiatry. |
Effect of Centella asiatica on the general mental ability of mentally retarded children, |
Appa Rao, MVR, Srinivasan, K, Koteswara Rao, T. |
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19: 54-59. |
1977 |
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| 4 |
Journal of Natural Remedies |
Centella asiatica - A review of its medicinal uses and pharmacological effects. |
Arora, D, Kumar, M, Dubey, SD. |
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2(2): 143-149. |
1998 |
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| 5 |
Ancient Science of Life. |
Immunomodulating effects of rasayana drugs in diabetics - a clinical study |
Arora, Deepa, Kumar, M, Dubey, SD, Singh, Usha. |
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22(2): 42-48. |
2002 |
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| 6 |
Journal of Ethnopharmacology. |
Cytotoxic and anti-tumour properties of certain taxa of Umbelliferae with special reference to Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban |
Babu, TD, Kuttan, G, Padikkala, J. |
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48(1): 53-57. |
1995. |
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| 7 |
Amala Research Bulletin,
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Anticancer activity of an active principle from Centella asiatica |
Babu, TD, Padikkala, J. |
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13: 46-49. |
1993 |
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| 8 |
Amala Research Bulletin. |
Centella asiatica extracts on chemotherapeutic drug-induced toxicity in mice. |
Babu, TD, Padikkala, J. |
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15: 41-45. |
1995. |
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| 9 |
Quarterly Journal of Pharmacy. |
Investigation of Indian medicinal plants Hydrocotyle asiatica, Vitex negundo and Monniera cunifolia, |
Basu, NK, Lamsal, PP, Singh, GB. |
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30: 135. |
1947. |
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| 10 |
Minerva Cardioangio. |
Activity of Centella asiatica in venous insufficiency. |
Cesarone, MR, Laurora, G, De Sanctis, MT, Belcaro, G. |
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40(4): 137-143. |
1992 |
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| 11 |
Korean Journal of Gastro-enterology.
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Clinical experience of madecassol (Centella asiatica) in the treatment of peptic ulcer |
Chao, KH, Chung, TJ, Kim, SJ, Lee, TH, Yoon, CM. |
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13(1): 49-56. |
1981. |
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| 12 |
IJEB. 30(10):
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Effect of plant extract Centella asiatica (Linn.) on cold restraint stress ulcer in rats |
Chatterjee, TK. |
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889-891. |
1992 |
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| 13 |
IJEB.
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Effect of plant extract Centella asiatica (Linn.) on cold restraint stress ulcer in rats |
Chatterjee, TK. |
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30(10): 889-891. |
1992 |
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| 14 |
Indian Journal of Pharmacology. |
Psychotropic effects of Centella asiatica |
Deshpande, S, Gupta, SS, Shinde, S, Iyengar, VL, Shastry, S. |
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12: 64. |
1980 |
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| 15 |
Fitoterapia. |
Antianxiety profile of mandukparni (Centella asiatica) in animals. |
Diwan, PV, Karawande, I, Singh, AK. |
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62(3): 253-257. |
1991. |
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| 16 |
IJEB. |
Crude extract of Centella asiatica and products derived from its glycosides as oral antifertility agents |
Dutta, Tapan, Basu, UP. |
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6: 181-182. |
1968 |
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| 17 |
Honey Bee |
Giloy: A multipurpose plant. |
Sharma, S. |
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9(4): 9. |
1998. |
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| 18 |
Ancient Science of Life |
Studies on some umbelliferous herbs |
Iyengar, MA, Soans, S, Rao, G, Nayak, SGK. |
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17(1): 47-51 |
1997. |
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| 19 |
Med. M. |
"Gotu kola" [Lat. Hydrocotyle asiatica] and its uses, C.I |
Kawiratne, EMS. |
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1, 2, September issue, 31-33. |
1938 |
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| 20 |
Ancient Science of Life. |
Some Sri Lankan common pot-herbs |
Liyanaratne, J. |
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23(2): 71-78. |
2003 |
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| 21 |
JRIM. |
The effect of mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) on the general mental ability (medhya) of mentally retarded children. |
Rao, A, Srinivasan, K, Rao, KT. |
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8(4): 9-15. |
1973 |
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| 22 |
Indian Journal of Pharmacology. |
Influence of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica (brahmi) on experimental wounds in albino rat |
Rao, VG, Shivakumar, HG, Parthasarathi, G. |
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28: 1208-1211. |
1996 |
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| 23 |
Indian Journal of Pharmacology. |
Influence of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica (brahmi) on experimental wounds in albino rat |
Rao, VG, Shivakumar, HG, Parthasarathi, G. |
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28: 1208-1211. |
1996 |
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| 24 |
Indian Journal of Pharmacology. |
Wound healing: effect of Centella asiatica |
Rasik, AM, Shukla, A, Patnaik, GK, Kulshrestha, DK, Dhawan, BN. |
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29(1): 28. |
1997 |
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| 25 |
Indian Journal of Pharmacology. |
Wound healing: effect of Centella asiatica |
Rasik, AM, Shukla, A, Patnaik, GK, Kulshrestha, DK, Dhawan, BN. |
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29(1): 28. |
1997 |
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| 26 |
Phytotherapy Research. |
Antiulcer activity of Tinospora cordifolia Miers and Centella asiatica Linn. extracts |
Sharma, DNK, Khosa, RL, Chansauria, JPN, Sahai, M. |
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9(8): 589-590. |
1995 |
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| 27 |
WOA |
The Wealth of Asia |
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New Delhi |
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1998 |
National Institute of Science Communication, CSIR |
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