Utiliization of Natural Compound from Pegagan (Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.) and Their Potential Role in the Health Sector

Authors

Ratna Lestyana Dewi , Ratna Yuniati , Yasman

DOI:

10.29303/jppipa.v11i4.10558

Published:

2025-04-25

Issue:

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): April

Keywords:

Bioactive, Centella asiatica, Medicial plants, Pegagan, Phytochemicals, Toxicity

Research Articles

Downloads

How to Cite

Dewi, R. L., Yuniati, R., & Yasman. (2025). Utiliization of Natural Compound from Pegagan (Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.) and Their Potential Role in the Health Sector. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 11(4), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i4.10558
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Downloads

Metrics

PDF views
134
Apr 25 '25Apr 28 '25May 01 '25May 04 '25May 07 '25May 10 '25May 13 '25May 16 '25May 19 '25May 22 '258
|

Abstract

Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu Kola, is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine. This abstract discusses its various health benefits supported by scientific research, including wound healing, cognitive enhancement, and anxiety reduction. It also explores its potential in treating skin conditions, venous insufficiency, and improving circulation. Further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and optimize its therapeutic applications. Centella asiatica (C. asiatica), commonly known as Gotu Kola, is a herbaceous plant extensively used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. This review summarizes the scientifically validated health benefits of C. asiatica based on available research, primarily from Scopus-indexed publications. The plant's bioactive compounds, including triterpenoid saponins (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid), contribute to its diverse pharmacological activities. C. asiatica exhibits significant wound healing properties by promoting collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and fibroblast proliferation. Furthermore, studies suggest its potential in enhancing cognitive function, reducing anxiety, and improving memory. Its efficacy in treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as well as venous insufficiency and microcirculation, has also been reported. While promising, further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action, determine optimal dosages, and explore potential synergistic effects with other therapeutic agents for various health conditions. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence-based health benefits of C. asiatica, highlighting its potential as a valuable natural remedy in modern medicine.

References

Abdoli, N., Salari, N., Darvishi, N., Jafarpour, S., Solaymani, M., Mohammadi, M., & Shohaimi, S. (2022). The global prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) among the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 132(1), 1067–1073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.041

Al-Nahain, A., Jahan, R., Rahman, T., Nurunnabi, M., & Rahmatullah, M. (2015). Centella asiatica: From Ethnomedicinal Uses to the Possibility of New Drug Discovery. In Therapeutic Medicinal Plants (pp. 38–56). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b19773-3

Apu, A. S., Muhit, M. A., Tareq, S. M., Pathan, A. H., Jamaluddin, A. T. M., & Ahmed, M. (2010). Antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp lethality bioassay of the leaves extract of Dillenia indica linn. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 2(1), 50–53. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-1483.62213

Arribas-López, E., Zand, N., Ojo, O., Snowden, M. J., & Kochhar, T. (2022). A Systematic Review of the Effect of Centella asiatica on Wound Healing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 122–132. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063266

Arumugam, T., Ayyanar, M., Koil Pillai, Y. J., & Sekar, T. (2011). Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of leaf and callus extracts of Centella asiatica. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology, 6(1), 55–60. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v6i1.8555

Aziz, Z. A., Davey, M. R., Power, J. B., Anthony, P., Smith, R. M., & Lowe, K. C. (2007). Production of asiaticoside and madecassoside in Centella asiatica in vitro and in vivo. Biologia Plantarum, 51(1), 34–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-007-0008-x

Bandara, M. S., Lee, L. E., & Thomas, J. E. (2022). Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica L.): An Under-Utilized Herbs. The American Journal of Plant Science and Biotehnology, 1(1). Retrieved from http://globalsciencebooks.info/Online/GSBOnline/images/2011/AmJPSB_5(SI2)/AmJPSB_5(SI2)20-31o.pdf

Bandomo, G. V., Cadalso, A. E. R., Caridad, R. de la, MuñozI, R., Turiño, E. R. A., Jiménez, V. S. R., & Abril, R. E. F. (2021). Medicinal Plants, Precautions for Their Use in the Elderly. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 9(4), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.17265/2328-2150/2021.04.004

Bhandari, A. K., Negi, J. S., Baunthiyal, M., Bisht, V. K., & Singh, N. (2013). A quick bud breaking response of a surface model for rapid clonal propagation in Centella asiatica (L.). International Journal of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Research, 4(6), 93–97. https://doi.org/10.5897/ijbmbr2013.0167

Bisht, V. K., Kandari, L. S., Negi, J. S., Bhandari, a K., & Sundriyal, R. C. (2013). Traditional use of medicinal plants in district Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 7(15), 918–929. Retrieved from https://shorturl.at/rZ1jZ

Borrás, S., Martínez-Solís, I., & Ríos, J. L. (2021). Medicinal Plants for Insomnia Related to Anxiety: An Updated Review. Planta Medica, 87(10–11), 738–753. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1510-9826

Brinkhaus, B., Lindner, M., Schuppan, D., & Hahn, E. G. (2000). Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the East Asian medical plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine, 7(5), 427–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80065-3

Bryant, J. P., Chapin, F. S., & Klein, D. R. (1983). Carbon/Nutrient Balance of Boreal Plants in Relation to Vertebrate Herbivory. Oikos, 40(3), 357. https://doi.org/10.2307/3544308

Chanana, P., & Kumar, A. (2016). Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide Modulatory Mechanisms in the Neuroprotective Effect of Centella asiatica Against Sleep Deprivation Induced Anxiety Like Behaviour, Oxidative Damage and Neuroinflammation. Phytotherapy Research, 30(4), 671–680. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5582

Chobe, S., Chobe, M., Metri, K., Patra, S. K., & Nagaratna, R. (2020). Impact of Yoga on cognition and mental health among elderly: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 52(1), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102421

Dartigues, J. F., Le Bourdonnec, K., Tabue-Teguo, M., Le Goff, M., Helmer, C., Avila-Funes, J. A., Coureau, G., Feart, C., Pérès, K., Genuer, R., Letenneur, L., Amieva, H., & Proust-Lima, C. (2022). Co-Occurrence of Geriatric Syndromes and Diseases in the General Population: Assessment of the Dimensions of Aging. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 26(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-021-1722-3

Devkota, A., & Jha, P. (2009). Variation in growth of Centella asiatica along different soil composition. Botany Research International, 2(1), 55–60. Retrieved from http://www.idosi.org/bri/2(1)09/10.pdf

Ding, B., Niu, W., Wang, S., Zhang, F., Wang, H., Chen, X., Chen, S., Ma, S., Kang, W., Wang, M., Li, L., Xiao, W., Guo, Z., & Wang, Y. (2022). Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and improves heart function through multi-level mechanisms revealed by systems pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 291, 115106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115106

Jana, A., & Chattopadhyay, A. (2022). Prevalence and potential determinants of chronic disease among elderly in India: Rural-urban perspectives. PLoS ONE, 17(3 March), 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264937

Jo, Y. H., Yeon, S. W., Ahn, J. H., Turk, A., Liu, Q., Kim, M.-O., Hwang, B. Y., Park, S.-Y., & Lee, M. K. (2023). Polyacetylenes from the adventitious roots of Centella asiatica with glucose uptake stimulatory activity. Journal of Biotechnology, 368, 53–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.04.006

Kazeminia, M., Salari, N., Vaisi-Raygani, A., Jalali, R., Abdi, A., Mohammadi, M., Daneshkhah, A., Hosseinian-Far, M., & Shohaimi, S. (2020). The effect of exercise on anxiety in the elderly worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 18(1), 363–372. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01609-4

Kothiyal, S. C., Saklani, S., & Mathur, A. (2021). Study on nutritional and phytochemical profile of seven edible food supplements of Uttarakhand (Garhwal Himalaya). Vegetos, 34(3), 678–683. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-021-00241-x

Kunjumon, R., Johnson, A. J., & Baby, S. (2022). Centella asiatica: Secondary metabolites, biological activities and biomass sources. Phytomedicine Plus, 2(1), 100176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100176

Mascarelo, A., Alves, A. L. S., Hahn, S. R., Doring, M., & Portella, M. R. (2023). Incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly people assisted by primary health care in Brazil. BMC Geriatrics, 23(1), 606–612. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04195-4

Müller, V., Albert, A., Barbro Winkler, J., Lankes, C., Noga, G., & Hunsche, M. (2013). Ecologically relevant UV-B dose combined with high PAR intensity distinctly affect plant growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites in leaves of Centella asiatica L. Urban. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 127(1), 161–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2013.08.014

Nicolas, A. N., & Plunkett, G. M. (2009). The demise of subfamily Hydrocotyloideae (Apiaceae) and the re-alignment of its genera across the entire order Apiales. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 53(1), 134–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2009.06.010

Nikolich-Žugich, J., Goldman, D. P., Cohen, P. R., Cortese, D., Fontana, L., Kennedy, B. K., Mohler, M. J., Olshansky, S. J., Perls, T., Perry, D., Richardson, A., Ritchie, C., Wertheimer, A. M., Faragher, R. G. A., & Fain, M. J. (2016). Preparing for an aging world: Engaging biogerontologists, geriatricians, and the society. Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 71(4), 435–444. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv164

Orhan, I. E. (2012). Centella asiatica (L.) Urban: From traditional medicine to modern medicine with neuroprotective potential. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 946259. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/946259

Othman, Z. S., Maskat, M. Y., Mobarak, N. N., Khalid, R. M., Zahari, S. M. S. N. S., & Hassan, N. H. (2023). Utilization of triethylammonium hydrogen sulphate-mediated solvent for optimization of asiaticoside extraction and antioxidant capacity of Centella asiatica (L.). Journal of King Saud University-Science, 35(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2023.102863

Oyenihi, A. B., George, T. T., Oyenihi, O. R., Obilana, A. O., & Opperman, M. (2023). Three decades of research on Centella asiatica: Insights and future trends from bibliometric analysis. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 39, 100662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2023.100662

Puttarak, P., Dilokthornsakul, P., Saokaew, S., Dhippayom, T., Kongkaew, C., Sruamsiri, R., Chuthaputti, A., & Chaiyakunapruk, N. (2017). Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-09823-9

Rohini, M. R., & Smitha, G. R. (2022). Studying the effect of morphotype and harvest season on yield and quality of Indian genotypes of Centella asiatica: A potential medicinal herb cum underutilized green leafy vegetable. South African Journal of Botany, 145(1), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.11.024

Sabaragamuwa, R., Perera, C. O., & Fedrizzi, B. (2018). Centella asiatica (Gotu kola) as a neuroprotectant and its potential role in healthy ageing. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 79, 88–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.07.024

Seong, E., Heo, H., Sang Jeong, H., Lee, H., & Lee, J. (2023). Enhancement of bioactive compounds and biological activities of Centella asiatica through ultrasound treatment. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 94, 106353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106353

Singh, S., Singh, D. R., Banu, V. S., & Avinash, N. (2014). Functional constituents (micronutrients and phytochemicals) and antioxidant activity of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban leaves. Industrial Crops and Products, 61, 115–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.06.045

Sofianti, M., Sunandar, A., & Qurbaniah, M. (2024). Development of Encyclopedia Learning Media Based on Local Vegetables as An Innovative Biology Learning Resource. Jurnal Hasil Penelitian Dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran, 10(3), 1024–1031. Retrieved from https://e-journal.undikma.ac.id/index.php/jurnalkependidikan/article/view/12674/6236

Sun, B., Wu, L., Wu, Y., Zhang, C., Qin, L., Hayashi, M., Kudo, M., Gao, M., & Liu, T. (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11(1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.568032

Tambaro, S., Mitra, S., Gera, R., Linderoth, B., Wahlberg, L. U., Darreh-Shori, T., Behbahani, H., Nilsson, P., & Eriksdotter, M. (2023). Feasibility and therapeutical potential of local intracerebral encapsulated cell biodelivery of BDNF to AppNL−G−F knock-in Alzheimer mice. Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy, 15(1), 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01282-x

Truong, H. T. H., Ho, N. T. H., Ho, H. N., Nguyen, B. L. Q., Le, M. H. D., & Duong, T. T. (2024). Morphological, phytochemical and genetic characterization of Centella asiatica accessions collected throughout Vietnam and Laos. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 31(1), 103895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103895

Wanasuntronwong, A., Tantisira, M. H., Tantisira, B., & Watanabe, H. (2012). Anxiolytic effects of standardized extract of Centella asiatica (ECa 233) after chronic immobilization stress in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 143(2), 579–585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.07.010

Xie, M., Jiang, Z., Lin, X., & Wei, X. (2024). Application of plant extracts cosmetics in the field of anti-aging. Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology, 1(2), 100014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdsct.2024.100014

Yang, L., Marney, L., Magana, A. A., Choi, J., Wright, K., Mcferrin, J., Gray, N. E., Soumyanath, A., Stevens, J. F., & Maier, C. S. (2023). Quantification of caffeoylquinic acids and triterpenes as targeted bioactive compounds of Centella Asiatica in extracts and formulations by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography Open, 4, 100091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcoa.2023.100091

Author Biographies

Ratna Lestyana Dewi, Universitas Indonesia

Ratna Yuniati, Universitas Indonesia

Yasman, Universitas Indonesia

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Ratna Lestyana Dewi, Ratna Yuniati, Yasman

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).