Pharmacognosy · Wound Healing · Cognitive & Venous Support

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban — known as Mandookparni in Ayurveda and used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries — a small creeping herb whose triterpenoid saponins form the basis of Madecassol, a named pharmaceutical wound-care specialty, alongside well-studied venous, cognitive, and neuroprotective effects.

30 Primary Refs
9 Properties
Leaf Parts Used
✦ Researched
Last Updated
Primary Source Wikiphyto · NCBI PubMed · J Med Assoc Thai
Family Apiaceae
Wound Healing · Venous & Cognitive Support

Biological Overview

Gotu Kola is a perennial creeping herb widely distributed across India, Indonesia, and Madagascar. It has small, rounded, somewhat heart-shaped leaves carried on the nodes of long trailing stems, with umbels of very small flowers.

Life CyclePerennial creeping herb
HabitatIndia, Indonesia, Madagascar
Named PharmaceuticalMadecassol®
Marker CompoundsAsiaticoside, Madecassoside
Botanical Classification

Taxonomy & Identification

Latin Name
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban
Synonym
Hydrocotyle asiatica L.
Family
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Common Names
Gotu Kola, Centella, Pegaga
Other Names
Mandookparni (Ayurveda)
Parts Used
Leaf, whole plant
Two Ancient Medical Traditions

History & Tradition

Gotu Kola holds a genuinely dual heritage: it is a plant of both Ayurvedic medicine, where it is known as Mandookparni, and traditional Chinese medicine — a rare distinction shared by relatively few herbs in widespread modern use.

Its modern research history is unusually concentrated on wound healing, eventually formalizing into Madecassol, a named pharmaceutical specialty based on standardized Centella triterpenes — a notable example of a traditional herb's compounds crossing fully into conventional pharmaceutical use.

⚠ Same Skin Indications as Calendula

The primary phytotherapy literature explicitly notes that Gotu Kola's skin-related applications mirror those of Calendula officinalis (marigold) — a useful reference point if you're already familiar with that herb's wound-care uses.

Timeline

Traditional Era

Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Used in both Ayurvedic medicine (as Mandookparni) and traditional Chinese medicine.

1999

Wound-Healing Mechanism Confirmed

Shukla et al. demonstrate in vitro and in vivo wound-healing activity of isolated asiaticoside.[1]

2010

Diabetic Wound & Anxiety Trials

Paocharoen publishes a randomized trial in diabetic wound patients; Jana et al. publish a clinical study on generalized anxiety disorder.[2][22]

2015–2017

Pycnogenol Combination Trials

Belcaro and colleagues publish a series of trials on Gotu Kola combined with Pycnogenol for atherosclerotic plaque stability.[6][7][8]

The Key Molecules

Asiaticoside & Madecassoside — Deep Dive

Triterpenoid saponins derived from ursane, behind nearly every documented effect of this plant.

🩹

Asiaticoside — The Wound-Healing Saponin

Asiaticoside accelerates healing of superficial wounds, including diabetic wounds, and induces human collagen I synthesis through a TGF-beta receptor I kinase-independent Smad signaling pathway.[1][3]

🔥

Madecassoside — Burn Healing

Madecassoside, isolated from Centella asiatica herbs, facilitates burn wound healing through antioxidant activity, collagen biosynthesis stimulation, and angiogenesis.[4]

🧬

Asiatic & Madecassic Acids

The free triterpene acids — asiatic acid and madecassic acid — are the aglycones of asiaticoside and madecassoside respectively, both ursane-derived and central to the plant's triterpenoid pharmacology.

🧪

Saponin Surfactant Properties

These saponins possess both a hydrophilic pole (the sugar chains) and a hydrophobic lipophilic pole (the genin), conferring surfactant properties relevant to their biological activity.

⚠ The Triterpene-Rich Fraction Matters

Not all Gotu Kola extracts are equally potent for vascular applications.

In the Pycnogenol combination trials, the triterpene-rich fraction of Centella asiatica specifically showed the strongest effect on atherosclerotic plaque stability — without tolerability problems or adverse effects across the trial series.[8][9]

Available Forms

Parts Used & Available Forms

The leaf and whole plant, available as a tincture or as the named pharmaceutical specialty Madecassol.

Mother Tincture

An alcoholic tincture of the whole plant.

Liquid · Traditional

Madecassol®

A named pharmaceutical specialty based on standardized Centella asiatica triterpenes, used for wound healing.

Pharmaceutical Specialty

Clinical Dosimetry

Dosages

Documented across human clinical trials, plus a general WHO reference dose for the dried herb.

Form Dose Duration
Asiaticoside Extract (Diabetic Wound Healing) 300 mg/day (100 mg, 3×/day) 21 days[2]
Standardized Extract (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) 500 mg twice daily after meals (1,000 mg/day) Per trial protocol[22]
Dried Herb (WHO General Reference) 0.33–0.68 g, 3×/day Ongoing as needed

Doses vary meaningfully by intended use — wound-healing trials and anxiety trials used different forms and amounts. Confirm dosing with a healthcare provider, particularly for diabetic wound care.

Phytochemistry

Composition

A triterpenoid-saponin-dominant profile, the chemical basis for nearly every documented property.

Triterpenoid Saponins

AsiaticosideTriterpenic saponin; principal wound-healing compound
Major
MadecassosideTriterpenic saponin; burn-healing activity
Major
Asiatic Acid & Madecassic AcidFree triterpene acids, esters and derivatives of ursane
Present

Other Constituents

Essential OilGeneral essential oil fraction
Present
SterolsGeneral sterol fraction
Present
FlavonoidsFlavonol heterosides
Present
PolyynesGeneral polyyne fraction
Present

Plant Properties — Pharmacodynamics

9 properties documented, anchored by an unusually deep wound-healing and neurological evidence base.

9 Properties Wound Healing Cognitive Support Neuroprotective
🩹

Wound Healing

Accelerates healing of superficial wounds and diabetic wounds; accelerates burn healing through antioxidant effect, collagen biosynthesis stimulation, and angiogenesis stimulation.[1][2][3][4]

🍯

Antidiabetic

Antidiabetic and anti-hyperglycemic activity via carbohydrase inhibition.[5]

🩺

Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability (With Pycnogenol)

The combination with Pycnogenol improves atherosclerotic plaque stability, especially the triterpene-rich fraction, without tolerability problems or adverse effects.[6][7][8][9]

🛡️

Reticuloendothelial Stimulant

Stimulant effect on the reticuloendothelial system, with modulation of TNF-alpha.[10]

🧠

Memory & Learning Enhancement

Improves memory and learning, stimulates neuronal dendritic growth, and shows potential in Alzheimer's disease research.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

❓

Uncertain
Parkinson's Disease Potential

Neuroprotective against brain lesions and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease via asiaticoside — though this specific disease application is explicitly flagged as uncertain in the primary literature.[17][18][19][20][21]

😌

Anxiolytic

A clinical study found anxiolytic effects in the management of generalized anxiety disorder.[22]

🛡️

Anti-Ulcer

Documented anti-ulcer activity against cold restraint stress-induced ulcers.[23]

🔬

Antitumoral

Antitumoral properties, including apoptosis induction and synergy with vincristine chemotherapy.[24][25][26]

Clinical Applications

Clinical Indications

A genuinely deep wound-care and venous focus, formalized into a named pharmaceutical specialty.

🩹
Wounds & Burns
Primary, Best-Documented Indication
  • Wounds and burns, demonstrated in both incision and burn wound models. [27]
  • Atonic wounds, pressure sores, and delayed healing of diabetic wounds.
  • Hypertrophic scarring management.
🩸
Venous & Lymphatic
Established Use
  • Varicose ulcers at the budding stage of healing.
  • Venous and lymphatic insufficiency.
❓
Metabolic & Neurodegenerative
Marked Uncertain in Primary Source
  • Diabetes is listed as a possible indication, explicitly flagged with uncertainty.
  • Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are similarly listed as possible indications, both explicitly flagged with uncertainty in the primary literature.
😌
Mental Health
Anxiety
  • Generalized anxiety disorder, with attenuation of correlated stress and depression. [22]
Pharmacodynamics

Mode of Action

A surfactant saponin chemistry that explains skin-related activity, paired with the established collagen-synthesis pathway.

🧬

Smad Signaling-Mediated Collagen Synthesis

Asiaticoside induces human collagen I synthesis through a TGF-beta receptor I kinase-independent Smad signaling pathway — a specific, demonstrated molecular mechanism rather than a general assumption.[3]

🧪

Saponin Surfactant Activity

The saponins' dual hydrophilic/hydrophobic structure confers surfactant properties, contributing to the plant's skin-related applications, which parallel those of Calendula officinalis.

Clinical Safety

Safety & Precautions

A presumed favorable safety profile, supported by enzyme-interaction research.

⚠️

Documented Safety Findings

  • Presumed favorable safety is documented in the primary phytotherapy literature for this plant.
  • No effect on phase II liver enzymes was found for a standardized extract (ECa233) in rat studies.[28]
📋

Practical Considerations

  • Diabetic wound care use has specific clinical trial support, but any use alongside diabetes management should involve a healthcare provider.
  • Trial tolerability: the Pycnogenol combination trial series reported no tolerability problems or adverse effects across multiple studies.[9]
Clinical Disclaimer: This monograph is for educational and professional reference only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before initiating any phytotherapeutic regimen, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, managing diabetes, or have a wound requiring medical attention.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gotu Kola used for?
Gotu Kola is studied and traditionally used for wound healing, including diabetic wounds and burns, venous and lymphatic insufficiency, varicose ulcers, memory and cognitive support, anxiety, and as a complementary approach to atherosclerotic plaque stability when combined with Pycnogenol. It is also the basis of Madecassol, a named pharmaceutical wound-care specialty.
What is the recommended dose of Gotu Kola?
Doses vary by use. A diabetic wound-healing trial used 300 mg per day of asiaticoside (100 mg three times daily) for 21 days. A generalized anxiety disorder trial used 500 mg of extract twice daily after meals. The World Health Organization's general recommended oral dose range is 0.33 to 0.68 grams of the dried herb, three times daily. Always confirm dosing with a healthcare provider.
What is Madecassol?
Madecassol is a named pharmaceutical specialty product based on standardized Centella asiatica triterpenes, used for wound healing. It reflects how thoroughly this plant's wound-healing compounds have been studied and formalized into conventional medical use, beyond purely herbal preparations.
Does Gotu Kola really help with memory?
There is a genuine body of supporting research, including animal studies on learning and memory enhancement and dendritic growth, and a human trial in healthy elderly volunteers showing positive modulation of cognition and mood. Research has also explored potential in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, though the primary source itself flags these specific neurodegenerative disease applications as still uncertain.
Can Gotu Kola help with varicose veins or circulation?
Yes, this is one of its core traditional and clinical indications: venous and lymphatic insufficiency and varicose ulcers at the budding stage of healing. Separately, the combination of Gotu Kola with Pycnogenol has been studied in multiple trials for improving the stability of atherosclerotic plaques, a related but distinct application to vein health.
Is Gotu Kola safe?
A presumed favorable safety profile is documented, with research showing no effect on phase II liver enzymes in animal studies. As with any supplement, confirm use with a healthcare provider, particularly given documented use in special populations like diabetic patients.
Primary Literature

Bibliography

↑ 1. Shukla A, Rasik AM, Jain GK, Shankar R, Kulshrestha DK, Dhawan BN. In vitro and in vivo wound healing activity of asiaticoside isolated from Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Apr;65(1):1-11. PubMed PMID:10350364 →
↑ 2. Paocharoen V. The efficacy and side effects of oral Centella asiatica extract for wound healing promotion in diabetic wound patients. J Med Assoc Thai. 2010 Dec;93 Suppl 7:S166-170. PubMed PMID:21298840 →
↑ 3. Lee J, Jung E, Kim Y, Park J, Park J, Hong S, Kim J, Hyun C, Kim YS, Park D. Asiaticoside induces human collagen I synthesis through TGFbeta receptor I kinase (TbetaRI kinase)-independent Smad signaling. Planta Med. 2006 Mar;72(4):324-328. PubMed PMID:16557473 →
↑ 4. Liu M, Dai Y, Li Y, Luo Y, Huang F, Gong Z, Meng Q. Madecassoside isolated from Centella asiatica herbs facilitates burn wound healing in mice. Planta Med. 2008 Jun;74(8):809-815. PubMed PMID:18484522 →
↑ 5. Kabir AU, Samad MB, D'Costa NM, Akhter F, Ahmed A, Hannan JM. Anti-hyperglycemic activity of Centella asiatica is partly mediated by carbohydrase inhibition and glucose-fiber binding. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Jan 18;14:31. Full text →
↑ 6. Luzzi R, Belcaro G, Ippolito E. Carotid plaque stabilization induced by the supplement association Pycnogenol® and centella asiatica (Centellicum®). Minerva Cardioangiol. 2016 Dec;64(6):603-609. PubMed PMID:26496510 →
↑ 7. Belcaro G, Dugall M, Ippolito E, Hosoi M, Cornelli U, Ledda A, Scoccianti M, Cesarone MR, Pellegrini L, Luzzi R, Corsi M, Feragalli B. Pycnogenol® and Centella asiatica to prevent asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression in clinical events. Minerva Cardioangiol. 2017 Feb;65(1):24-31. PubMed PMID:26505327 →
↑ 8. Belcaro G, Ippolito E, Dugall M, Hosoi M, Cornelli U, Ledda A, Scoccianti M, Steigerwalt RD, Cesarone MR, Pellegrini L, Luzzi R, Corsi M. Pycnogenol® and Centella asiatica in the management of asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression. Int Angiol. 2015 Apr;34(2):150-157. PubMed PMID:25519846 →
↑ 9. Belcaro G, Cornelli U. Variations in Echogenicity in Carotid and Femoral Atherosclerotic Plaques with Pycnogenol + Centella Asiatica Supplementation. Int J Angiol. 2017 Jun;26(2):95-101. PubMed PMID:28566935 →
↑ 10. Punturee K, Wild CP, Vinitketkumneun U. Thai medicinal plants modulate nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in J774.2 mouse macrophages. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec;95(2-3):183-189. PubMed PMID:15507334 →
↑ 11. Rao SB, Chetana M, Uma Devi P. Centella asiatica treatment during postnatal period enhances learning and memory in mice. Physiol Behav. 2005 Nov 15;86(4):449-457. PubMed PMID:16214185 →
↑ 12. Meena H, Pandey HK, Pandey P, Arya MC, Ahmed Z. Evaluation of antioxidant activity of two important memory enhancing medicinal plants Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica. Indian J Pharmacol. 2012;44(1):114-117. Full text (PMC3271514) →
↑ 13. Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S, Tongun T, Pasuriwong O, Piyawatkul N, Yimtae K, Sripanidkulchai B, Singkhoraard J. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Mar 5;116(2):325-332. PubMed PMID:18191355 →
↑ 14. Gadahad MR, Rao M, Rao G. Enhancement of hippocampal CA3 neuronal dendritic arborization by Centella asiatica (Linn) fresh leaf extract treatment in adult rats. J Chin Med Assoc. 2008 Jan;71(1):6-13. PubMed PMID:18218554 →
↑ 15. Mohandas Rao KG, Muddanna Rao S, Gurumadhva Rao S. Centella asiatica (L.) leaf extract treatment during the growth spurt period enhances hippocampal CA3 neuronal dendritic arborization in rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2006 Sep;3(3):349-357. PubMed PMID:16951719 →
↑ 16. Dhanasekaran M, Holcomb LA, Hitt AR, Tharakan B, Porter JW, Young KA, Manyam BV. Centella asiatica extract selectively decreases amyloid beta levels in hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease animal model. Phytother Res. 2009 Jan;23(1):14-19. PubMed PMID:19048607 →
↑ 17. Wanakhachornkrai O, Pongrakhananon V, Chunhacha P, Wanasuntronwong A, Vattanajun A, Tantisira B, Chanvorachote P, Tantisira MH. Neuritogenic effect of standardized extract of Centella asiatica ECa233 on human neuroblastoma cells. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Aug 4;13:204. Full text →
↑ 18. Haleagrahara N, Ponnusamy K. Neuroprotective effect of Centella asiatica extract (CAE) on experimentally induced parkinsonism in aged Sprague-Dawley rats. J Toxicol Sci. 2010 Feb;35(1):41-47. PubMed PMID:20118623 →
↑ 19. Xu CL, Qu R, Zhang J, Li LF, Ma SP. Neuroprotective effects of madecassoside in early stage of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP in rats. Fitoterapia. 2013 Oct;90:112-118. PubMed PMID:23876367 →
↑ 20. Xu CL, Wang QZ, Sun LM, Li XM, Deng JM, Li LF, Zhang J, Xu R, Ma SP. Asiaticoside: attenuation of neurotoxicity induced by MPTP in a rat model of Parkinsonism via maintaining redox balance and up-regulating the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2012 Jan;100(3):413-418. PubMed PMID:22001429 →
↑ 21. Subathra M, Shila S, Devi MA, Panneerselvam C. Emerging role of Centella asiatica in improving age-related neurological antioxidant status. Exp Gerontol. 2005 Aug-Sep;40(8-9):707-715. PubMed PMID:16026958 →
↑ 22. Jana U, Sur TK, Maity LN, Debnath PK, Bhattacharyya D. A clinical study on the management of generalized anxiety disorder with Centella asiatica. Nepal Med Coll J. 2010 Mar;12(1):8-11. PubMed PMID:20677602 →
↑ 23. Chatterjee TK, Chakraborty A, Pathak M, Sengupta GC. Effects of plant extract Centella asiatica (Linn.) on cold restraint stress ulcer in rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992 Oct;30(10):889-891. PubMed PMID:1293014 →
↑ 24. Jayashree G, Kurup MG, Sudarslal VS, et al. Anti-oxidant activity of Centella asiatica on lymphoma-bearing mice. Fitoterapia. 2003;74(5):431-434.
↑ 25. Babu TD, Kuttan G, Padikkala J. Cytotoxic and anti-tumor properties of certain taxa of umbelliferae with specific reference to Centella asiatica (L.) urban. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995;48(1):53-57.
↑ 26. Huang YH, Zhang SH, Zhen RX, et al. Asiaticoside inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and enhancing anti-tumor activity of vincristine. Ai Zheng. 2004;23(12):1599-1604.
↑ 27. Somboonwong J, Kankaisre M, Tantisira B, Tantisira MH. Wound healing activities of different extracts of Centella asiatica in incision and burn wound models: an experimental animal study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Jul 20;12:103. Full text →
↑ 28. Seeka P, Niwattisaiwong N, Tantisira MH, Chevapat S, Anuntawuttikul K, Apipalakul K, Lawanprasert S. Effects of the standardized extract of Centella asiatica ECa233 on hepatic Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats. Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2017 Apr 27. Full text →

Additional Reference Literature

Zheng CJ, Qin LP. Chemical components of Centella asiatica and their bioactivities. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2007 May;5(3):348-351. PubMed PMID:17498500 →
Gohil KJ, Patel JA, Gajjar AK. Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010 Sep;72(5):546-556.