Centella asiatica known as Gotu Kola is a medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years as well as in scientifically oriented medicine. The active compounds include pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids. Centella asiatica is effective in improving treatment of small wounds, hypertrophic wounds as well as burns, psoriasis and scleroderma. The mechanism of action involves promoting fibroblast proliferation and increasing the synthesis of collagen and intracellular fibronectin content and also improvement of the tensile strength of newly formed skin as well as inhibiting the inflammatory phase of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Research results indicate that it can be used in the treatment of photoaging skin, cellulite and striae.

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Centella asiatica in cosmetology

Wound healing effects of 50% ethanol extract of dried whole plant of Bacopa monniera (BME) was studied on wound models in rats. BME (25 mg/kg) was administered orally, once daily for 10 days (incision and dead space wound models) or for 21 days or more (excision wound model) in rats. BME was studied for its in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo wound breaking strength, WBS (incision model), rate of contraction, period of epithelization, histology of skin (excision model), granulation tissue free radicals (nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation), antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione), acute inflammatory marker (myeloperoxidase), connective tissue markers (hydroxyproline, hexosamine, and hexuronic acid), and deep connective tissue histology (dead space wound). BME showed antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens, enhanced WBS, rate of contraction, skin collagen tissue formation, and early epithelization period with low scar area indicating enhanced healing. Healing effect was further substantiated by decreased free radicals and myeloperoxidase and enhanced antioxidants and connective tissue markers with histological evidence of more collagen formation in skin and deeper connective tissues. BME decreased myeloperoxidase and free radical generated tissue damage, promoting antioxidant status, faster collagen deposition, other connective tissue constituent formation, and antibacterial activity.

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Evaluation of In Vivo Wound Healing Activity of Bacopa monniera on Different Wound Model in Rats

Centella asiatica is a medicinal plant that was already used as a 'panacea' 3000 years ago. The active compounds include pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. We have conducted an overview to summarize current knowledge on the results of scientific in vitro and in vivo experiments focused on the improvement of the healing process of small wounds, hypertrophic scars and burns by C. asiatica. In this paper, we discuss the data on constituents, recommended preparations and the potential side effects of C. asiatica.

Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overview

The Review of Natural Products is the foremost source of current natural product information for health care professionals. More than 350 in-depth monographs are included, based on scientific research, not just anecdotal information. The Review of Natural Products provides detailed information about natural products, including their botany, history, chemistry, pharmacology, medicinal uses, toxicology, and patient information. It also includes significantly documented drug interactions.Provides up-to-date, objective assessment of the latest medical and scientific studies on natural products, including medically active foods (nutraceuticals).

The Review of Natural Products

In this narrative review, we have comprehensively reviewed the plant sources used as antiulcer agents. From traditional uses as herbal remedies, we have moved on to preclinical evidence, critically discussing the in vitro and in vivo studies focusing on plant extracts and even isolated phytochemicals with antiulcerogenic potential. A particular emphasis was also paid to Helicobacter pylori activity, with emphasis on involved mechanisms of action. Lastly, the issue of safety profile of these plant products has also been addressed.

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Antiulcer Agents: From Plant Extracts to Phytochemicals in Healing Promotion.

In recent times, focus on plant research has increased all over the world. Centella asiatica is an important medicinal herb that is widely used in the orient and is becoming popular in the West. Triterpenoid, saponins, the primary constituents of Centella asiatica are manly believed to be responsible for its wide therapeutic actions. Apart from wound healing, the herb is recommended for the treatment of various skin conditions such as leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, diarrhoea, fever, amenorrhea, diseases of the female genitourinary tract and also for relieving anxiety and improving cognition. The present review attempts to provide comprehensive information on pharmacology, mechanisms of action, various preclinical and clinical studies, safety precautions and current research prospects of the herb. At the same time, studies to evaluate the likelihood of interactions with drugs and herbs on simultaneous use, which is imperative for optimal and safe utilization of the herb, are discussed.

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Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: A potential herbal cure-all

In recent times, the use of herbal products has increased tremendously in the western world as well as in developed countries. Lately, one of the outstandingly important medicinal plants, widely used therapeutically in the orient and becoming increasingly popular in the west is Bacopa monniera, a well-known nootropic. The present review summarizes our current knowledge of pharmacological actions, preclinical and clinical studies, major bioactives, reported mechanisms of actions, clinical efficacy, safety and the possibility of interactions of the herb with the conventional drugs. Simultaneously, research updates as well as avenues for further research are also mentioned concerning the plant. Key words: Bacopa monniera, neurotonics, clinical studies, herb-drug interactions, preclinical studies

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A review on Bacopa monniera: Current research and future prospects

Piper longum Linn. (Piperaceae) (fruits and roots powder) is given with boiled milk in the Indian traditional system of medicine for the treatment of liver ailments and jaundice. However, the biochemical basis and mechanism of hepatoprotective action of Piper longum milk extract is not scientifically studied. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Piper longum milk extract. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used as a hepatotoxin at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg p.o. with olive oil (1:1) thrice a week for 21 days to produce the chronic reversible type of liver necrosis. Following treatment with Piper longum milk extract (200 mg/day p.o. for 21 days), a significant hepatoprotective effect was observed in CCl4 induced hepatic damage as evident from decreased level of serum enzymes, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. The hepatoprotective effect of Piper longum is comparable to the standard drug silymarin (25 mg/kg/day p.o. for 21 days).

Hepatoprotective activity of Piper longum traditional milk extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that is found in a few edible food materials such as grape skins, pea-nuts and red wine. Numerous reports exists in the literature suggesting that dietary resveratrol may act as an antioxidant, promotes nitric oxide production, inhibits platelet aggregation and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and subsequently may serve as a cardio-protective agent. Recent reports demonstrated that resveratrol can function as a cancer chemopreventive agent, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-ageing and antiviral properties. However, most of these effects are yet to be confirmed in humans. In the only clinical trial, high doses of special proprietary formulation has demonstrated blood sugar-lowering effects of resveratrol in type 2 diabetes mellitus. As with many polyphenols, resveratrol is reasonably well absorbed but has low bioavailability. It is metabolized by hydroxylation, glucuronidation, sulfation and hydrogenation. We reviewed the published literature and reports to consolidate information availableon the biological activity of resveratrol using electronic databases as well as handpicked articles to summarize the biological effects of resveratrol and its clinical benefits against human diseases. Key words: Resveratrol, chemoprevention, cardio-protection, anti-inflammatory effects

http://www.greenpharmacy.info/index.php/ijgp/article/download/113/156

Resveratrol and its biological actions

Resumen en: The potential risk of herb drug interactions is of particular focus today owing to the increasing and inadvertent use of herbs in recent times. It is a ...

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Jagruti A. Patel

Papers

Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: A potential herbal cure-all

A review on Bacopa monniera: Current research and future prospects

Hepatoprotective activity of Piper longum traditional milk extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats

Resveratrol and its biological actions

Warfarin-herb interactions: a review and study based on assessment ofclinical case reports in literature