Search Results (36)

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Apiaceae) is widely incorporated into dermatological and wound-healing formulations, where dechlorophylization is commonly used to improve extract stability, although its biological consequences are not fully understood. In this study, an ethanolic extract of C. asiatica leaves (CAE) was compared with a dechlorophylized C. asiatica extract (DCAE) in terms of cytotoxicity, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, complemented by network pharmacology analysis. DCAE exhibited improved cytocompatibility, remaining non-cytotoxic up to 100 µg/mL, whereas CAE showed cytotoxic effects above 25 µg/mL. In contrast, CAE demonstrated superior wound-healing performance, reducing the residual wound area to 21.77% compared with 36.81% for DCAE and inducing higher Ki67 expression (1.94-fold versus 1.58-fold). These findings suggest that chlorophyll-associated constituents may contribute to keratinocyte proliferation and re-epithelialization. Although DCAE was enriched in pentacyclic triterpenes, including asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and madecassoside, it showed stronger anti-inflammatory effects by more effectively suppressing CXCL10, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 expression. Both extracts displayed weak antibacterial activity but moderate antifungal effects against Candida albicans, likely mediated through membrane disruption. Network pharmacology further indicated that wound-healing activity is associated with the regulation of COL1A1 and VEGFA through quercetin, kaempferol, and asiatic acid by way of the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, whereas anti-inflammatory effects involve modulation of PTGS2 and TNF through the NF-κB and IL-17 pathways. Overall, DCAE enhances cytocompatibility and anti-inflammatory activity, while CAE retains stronger regenerative capacity. These findings support the rational design of tailored formulations for specific dermatological applications, such as promoting wound repair or alleviating chronic skin inflammation. Full article

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., a perennial herb of the Apiaceae family, is an important medicinal plant with diverse therapeutic applications. In this study, we integrated phenotypic evaluation, SSR markers, and HPLC fingerprinting to assess the diversity of 24 C. asiatica accessions collected from Yunnan Province, China. Considerable phenotypic, genetic, and biochemical diversity was observed. The Shannon–Wiener index ranged from 2.20 to 3.14 for qualitative traits. Principal component analysis identified five components accounting for 82.54% of the total phenotypic variance, with leaf morphology as the primary determinant. Q-type cluster analysis grouped the accessions into five phenotypic clusters. Transcriptome analysis revealed 16,799 SSR loci, with dinucleotide repeats as the most frequent motif (44.31%). UPGMA clustering based on SSR markers delineated five genetic groups that correlated with geographic origin, with accessions from the two northernmost sites forming a distinct cluster. HPLC fingerprints identified 16 common peaks, among which five major bioactive constituents—madecassoside, asiaticoside, kaempferol, madecassic acid, and asiatic acid—were quantified. The total content of these five compounds varied markedly among accessions (4.09–20.18 mg·g⁻¹), with the highest found in Zhaoyang (S5). Most accessions exhibited high chemical similarity (>0.9), except for Yiliang (S12), which displayed a distinct profile. The partial correlation between SSR-based classifications and geographic origin, together with the inconsistency between phenotypic and chemical groupings, indicates that morphological variation is shaped by both environmental factors and complex genetic regulatory mechanisms. These findings provide a scientific basis for germplasm conservation, selective breeding, and the sustainable utilization of C. asiatica. Full article

This study aimed to screen for optimal Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combinations and subsequently optimize their extraction processes for developing antibacterial dressings by preparing aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts from Herba Centellae asiaticae, Flos Calendulae, Folium Aloe, Cortex Betulae and Rhizoma Curcumae longae and evaluating their inhibitory activity against E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans, and T-Salmonella using an agar diffusion assay. Synergistic combinations were identified through a grid screening method, with extraction processes optimized via single-factor experiments and Box–Behnken response surface design. The results demonstrated that the Folium Aloe and Cortex Betulae formulation exhibited the strongest synergistic antibacterial activity, with the inhibition zone expanding from 11.1/12.8 mm for individual components to 17 mm after combination, representing an increase of 21–36%. Single-factor and response surface optimization identified optimal process parameters as a ratio of 1.53:1, a hydroethanolic concentration of 79.5%, and an extraction time of 2.6 h, with a model R² value ranging from 0.9265 to 0.9783; the MIC values were reduced by 25–68.75%. The UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of the optimized extract identified nine major constituents, including anthraquinones, chromones, and triterpenoids, providing the phytochemical basis for the observed bioactivities. Mechanistic studies via UV-Vis spectrophotometry and propidium iodide (PI) staining confirmed membrane disruption through nucleic acid and protein leakage. Cytocompatibility evaluation using L929 fibroblasts demonstrated >90% cell viability even at 1000 μg/mL. Additionally, the optimized extract exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, achieving a DPPH scavenging rate of 90% at 1.0 mg/mL, whereas its ABTS scavenging rate was comparable to that of ascorbic acid. The Folium Aloe and Cortex Betulae pair demonstrates dual antibacterial and antioxidant activities, providing an experimental basis for developing functional wound dressings and green antibacterial biomaterials. Full article

(1) Background: Centella asiatica (L.) is a long-lived medicinal plant traditionally recognized for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite the growing demand for diverse C. asiatica species in Korea, studies on genetic diversity remain limited. (2) Methods: Genome assembly data of C. asiatica from the NCBI database were utilized to develop genomic SSR markers. Genetic diversity and population structure were examined in 30 Korean native C. asiatica accessions using 90 SSR markers. (3) Results: Whole-genome sequencing revealed 376,751 SSR loci, from which 127,528 primer pairs were designed. Among 160 randomly selected primers, 90 showed consistent amplification and displayed high levels of polymorphism. Genetic analyses revealed that the MAF ranged from 0.15 to 1.00 (mean 0.55), the NA ranged from 1 to 15 (mean 5.6), the Ho ranged from 0.00 to 1.00 (mean 0.17), and the PIC values ranged from 0.00 to 0.88 (mean 0.52). Clustering analysis with 90 SSR markers revealed three clusters, whereas population structure analysis indicated two populations among the C. asiatica accessions. Furthermore, two minimum marker sets with five marker combinations were identified and proved useful to differentiate all C. asiatica accessions. (4) Conclusions: The newly developed SSR markers for C. asiatica hold promise for facilitating research endeavors pertaining to variety identification, genetic mapping, and marker-assisted selection. Full article

C. asiatica (L.) Urban is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Asian medicine with potential geroprotective properties. Its major bioactive compounds—including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid—exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regenerative, neuroprotective, and cytoprotective activities. Experimental studies demonstrate modulation of signaling pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cellular survival, including NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK, Nrf2/HO-1, and TGF-β/Smad pathways. Preclinical evidence further indicates attenuation of cellular senescence, improvement of mitochondrial function, enhanced collagen synthesis, and regulation of cytokine production. In experimental models, C. asiatica has shown beneficial effects on wound healing, skin aging, neuroinflammation, β-amyloid aggregation, neuroplasticity, metabolic dysfunction, and vascular protection. Preliminary preclinical findings also suggest possible effects on telomerase activity and telomere maintenance. However, clinical translation remains limited due to insufficient randomized controlled trials, low oral bioavailability of triterpenoids, variability in extract standardization, and limited pharmacokinetic and long-term safety data. This narrative review summarizes the phytochemistry, molecular mechanisms, pharmacological activities, and potential geroprotective applications of c. asiatica, highlighting its translational relevance in healthy aging and age-related disorders while emphasizing the need for standardized clinical studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is a nutrition-responsive biomarker that indicates the antioxidant status of the macula. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term supplementation with a standardized Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. extract (CA-HE50) on MPOD in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Methods: Eighty men and women aged 45–65 years, with baseline MPOD values between 0.2 and 0.4, were randomly assigned to receive either CA-HE50 (300 mg/day, n = 40) or a placebo (n = 40) for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed by measuring MPOD at baseline and on Days 60, 120, and 180. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in MPOD from baseline to Day 180. Safety was evaluated through monitoring adverse events, vital signs, and clinical laboratory tests. Results: By Day 180, supplementation with CA-HE50 resulted in a statistically significant increase in MPOD compared to the placebo in the right eye, left eye, and the average of both eyes (all p < 0.001). Significant between-group differences were also observed at Day 120, indicating a time-dependent improvement in MPOD. Additionally, the proportion of responders was significantly higher in the CA-HE50 group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). CA-HE50 was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events or clinically relevant safety concerns identified during the intervention period. Conclusions: Long-term supplementation with C. asiatica extract significantly improved MPOD, supporting its potential role in enhancing macular nutritional status. These findings suggest that CA-HE50 may serve as a beneficial dietary intervention for maintaining macular health. Full article

Medicago sativa is one of the world’s most important forage plants, possessing strong nitrogen-fixing and regrowth capabilities. Promoting its growth not only enhances stress resistance but also reduces the use of chemical fertilizers. The value of Centella asiatica is primarily reflected in its medicinal properties. Currently, endophytic fungal resources of C. asiatica are scarce, and their potential to promote medicinal components and the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. This study employed DNA extraction techniques to isolate and identify endophytic fungi from different parts of C. asiatica. We systematically analyzed the plant growth-promoting traits of endophytic fungi. After screening for the optimal strain and inoculating it into Medicago sativa, we elucidated the mechanisms underlying its growth-promoting effect using metabolomic sequencing. Research findings: A total of 18 endophytic fungal strains were isolated, belonging to 12 genera. Among them, five indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) strains were identified, with strain J4 demonstrating the highest IAA production (17.157 mg·L⁻¹). The J4 strain has iron-transporting carrier activity, while 15 strains exhibit nitrogen-fixing activity. Inoculation with the Plectosphaerella plurivora strain significantly increases M. sativa’s germination rate, fresh weight, dry weight, and plant height. Metabolomic analysis indicates that P. plurivora may promote anthocyanin and jasmonic acid accumulation by regulating pathways such as flavonoid biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism, thereby promoting growth. This study reveals the mechanism by which endophytic fungi enhance M. sativa growth at the metabolomic level. This study reveals the growth-promoting mechanism of endophytic fungi in M. sativa from a metabolomic perspective, providing a theoretical basis for increasing forage yield and offering new insights into sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Obesity is well-known as a major risk factor for metabolic disorders, and natural compounds are being explored as alternatives to conventional therapies. While Centella asiatica is well known for its medicinal and dietary benefits, the biological activities of Giant Centella asiatica (GCA), especially when extracted with mineral-rich lava seawater, remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-adipogenic and lipid-metabolism-regulating effects of a novel GCA extract (GCA-LS-90) and its ability to stimulate GLP-1 secretion in vitro. GCA-LS-90 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up to 24.3% at 200 µg/mL (p < 0.001). It downregulated adipogenic transcription factors (C/EBPβ, C/EBPα, PPARγ) and lipogenic regulators (SREBP1c, FAS, G6PD, ME), while upregulating KLF2 (all p < 0.001). Western blotting confirmed reduced SREBP1c and SREBP2 protein expression, increased phosphorylation of AMPKα/ACC, and enhanced HSL activity (p < 0.05–0.001). In STC-1 cells, GCA-LS-90 increased GLP-1 secretion (53.5 pmol/L at 90 µg/mL vs. 41.3 pmol/L in control, p < 0.001). The major compounds, 3,5- and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acids, reproduced these effects. In conclusion, GCA-LS-90 modulated adipogenesis-, lipid-metabolism-, and GLP-1 secretion-related pathways in vitro, suggesting its potential as a functional ingredient for obesity management. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm efficacy and translational relevance. Full article

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is a medicinal herb containing valuable bioactive compounds widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and traditional medicine applications. This study investigated the effects of elevated CO₂ levels (1000, 800, and 600 ppm compared to ambient ~420 ppm) on secondary metabolite composition in C. asiatica using GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extracts. Significant treatment effects (p < 0.001) were observed across nine identified compounds, with α-copaene showing the most pronounced response. At 1000 ppm CO₂, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including α-copaene (10.60%) and trans-caryophyllene (8.97%), reached their highest concentrations, representing 232% and 413% increases over ambient conditions, respectively. Germacrene D demonstrated optimal synthesis at 800 ppm (8.12%) while remaining undetectable under ambient conditions. In contrast, the diterpene neophytadiene (16.84%) and the oxygenated sesquiterpene caryophyllene oxide (11.27%) exhibited maximum concentrations under ambient conditions. Principal Component Analysis confirmed distinct metabolic profiles, with the first two components explaining 84.38% of the total variance. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships (r > 0.85, p < 0.001) between structurally related sesquiterpenes. These findings establish a foundation for optimizing cultivation conditions to enhance specific bioactive compound production in C. asiatica, with potential applications in pharmaceutical production systems targeting sesquiterpene-derived medicines. The research demonstrates that atmospheric CO₂ modulation offers a promising strategy for targeted enhancement of secondary metabolite synthesis, though further investigation of molecular mechanisms and environmental interactions is necessary for commercial implementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (family Apiaceae) (C. asiatica) is a traditional botanical medicine used in aging and dementia. Water extracts of C. asiatica (CAW) have been used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms in related animal models and are associated with increases in antioxidant response element (ARE) genes and improvements in mitochondrial respiratory function and neuronal health. Because multiple sclerosis (MS) shares its neurogenerative pathology of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction with aging and dementia, neuropsychiatric symptoms in MS may also benefit from C. asiatica. To determine whether CAW similarly benefits neuropsychiatric symptoms, ARE gene expression, and mitochondrial respiration in inflammatory models of MS, and to determine the effects of CAW on clinical disability and inflammation, we tested CAW using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: C57BL/6J mice induced with EAE were treated with CAW or a placebo for 2 weeks. The outcomes were clinical disability, signs of anxiety (open field test), ARE gene expression, mitochondrial respiration, and inflammation and demyelination. Results: At the dosing schedule and concentrations tested, CAW-treated mice with EAE demonstrated increased ARE gene expression and mitochondrial respiratory activity compared to those of placebo-treated mice with EAE. CAW was also associated with reduced inflammatory infiltrates in the spinal cord, but the differences between the populations of activated versus quiescent microglia were equivocal. CAW did not improve behavioral performance, EAE motor disability, or demyelination. Conclusions: In the inflammatory EAE model of MS, CAW demonstrates similar neuroprotective effects to those it exhibits in aging and dementia mouse models. These benefits, along with the anti-inflammatory effects of CAW, support further investigation of its neuropsychiatric effects in people with MS. Full article

Coffea arabica, Centella asiatica, and Curcuma longa extracts have demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-aging activities. However, research on combining these three extracts in specific proportions to enhance their antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase effects remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the optimal proportions of C. arabica, C. asiatica, and C. longa extracts to maximize their combined antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase activities. A two-level full factorial design was used to identify the optimal concentration ratios of the mixed extracts. The results indicated that all extracts influenced antioxidant activity, with the optimal proportions of C. arabica, C. asiatica, and C. longa extracts being 0.5:6:2 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, all factors affected hyaluronidase enzyme inhibition, with the optimal proportions for C. arabica, C. asiatica, and C. longa extracts being 10:10:5 mg/mL to achieve the best inhibition. In a photostability study on individual extracts, mixed extracts, and mixed extracts combined with sodium metabisulfite and bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, it was observed that preparing the mixed extracts and adding an antioxidant and a sunscreen agent helped reduce the photodegradation of phenolic compounds in the mixed extracts. Consequently, the stabilized mixed extracts could serve as raw materials in cosmetic products. Full article

Antibacterial microcapsules were prepared using chitosan as the shell material and Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam extract as the core material. The optimal preparation process for the microcapsules of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam extract were determined via orthogonal and single-factor experiments as follows: the mass ratio of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam extracts and chitosan (M_T:M_C) was 3.0:1, the pH value of microencapsulation was 7, and the reaction temperature was 50 °C. The M_T:M_C increased, the glossiness of the coatings increased and then decreased, the color difference and roughness of the coatings showed an increasing trend, the transmittance of the coatings decreased, the grade of citric acid resistance decreased, the resistance to ethanol and detergents of the coatings increased, and the fracture elongation of the coating increased and then fell. As the M_T:M_C of microcapsules increased, the antibacterial rates of the coating against Escherichia coli increased first, then decreased, and lastly increased. The trend of the coating against Staphylococcus aureus first increased and then decreased. When the microcapsule M_T:M_C was 3.0:1, the performance of the coating was better, and the antibacterial rates against the two bacteria were 67.14% and 68.39%, respectively. Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam extracts endow waterborne coatings with antibacterial properties, expanding the application range of waterborne coatings. Full article

A clear trend of replacing synthetic cosmetic ingredients with natural ones can be observed in modern cosmetology. This entails the need to search for bioactive ingredients in the natural environment, especially in plants. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of dermatological, cosmetic, and pharmacological properties of highly potent plants, namely Acmella oleracea (A. oleracea), Centella asiatica (C. asiatica), Psoralea corylifolia (P. corylifolia), Plantago lanceolata L. (P. lanceolata L.), and Solidago virgaurea L. (S. virgaurea L.). Biological activity and phytochemical constituents are presented for all plants, but special attention is paid to ingredients of particular value to the cosmetics industry. The advantages of spilanthol and bakuchiol as a replacement for the popular botulinum toxin and retinol are discussed. Natural habitats, ethnomedical importance, cultivation area, as well as extraction methods of active plant ingredients are presented in detail. A wide spectrum of biological activity indicates the enormous potential of the presented plants in formulating new cosmetic and dermatological preparations. Full article

Nutrients and light are critical factors for sustained Centella asiatica L. Urban production under a controlled environment. The growth, triterpene glycosides, and antioxidant activities of C. asiatica grown under a controlled environment with different nutrient solution formulations (NFFs) and LED light intensities were investigated. Four different NSFs were tested on plant growth, bioactive compounds, and their activities in a conventional greenhouse. The results showed that the plants grown with Houghland and Arnon solution exhibited better growth performance, whereas the use of Resh’s Tropical Dry Summer solution led to increased bioactive compounds and their activities. Subsequently, Resh’s Tropical Dry Summer solution was selected to evaluate the effect of light intensity in a controlled environment. Plants were grown under three LED light intensities (110, 220, and 330 µmol/m²/s PPFD) compared with fluorescent and natural lights (45 and 326 µmol/m²/s PPFD, respectively). We found that light intensity had the strongest influence on growth, triterpene glycosides, and antioxidant activities. Significantly higher values of the most studied parameters were observed in plants grown under high light intensity compared to those grown under low light intensity. The optimal light intensity was 330 µmol/m²/s PPFD, representing an efficient approach for commercially producing this medicinal plant with a higher yield and medicinal properties in a controlled environment. Full article

Centella asiatica (CA) is a medicinal plant widely used in the East, with many of its phytoconstituents remaining unexplored. In this study, compounds were extracted and identified from C. asiatica to determine its medicinal properties. Phytochemical screening was conducted on shoot, callus, and cell suspension extracts, revealing the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids in all three cultures, with no alkaloids detected. IC50 values were determined to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extracts, with the highest value observed for cell suspension culture (20 µg/mL), followed by shoot culture (19 µg/mL), and then callus extract (10 µg/mL), with ascorbic acid as the standard at an IC50 value of 26.25 µg/mL. Finally, density functional theory was used to analyze the structure–activity relationships of the identified compounds from C. asiatica extract. The results suggest that ultrasonic-assisted extraction yielded the highest recovery and antioxidant activity, with a scavenging activity of 79%. This study provides valuable insights into the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of C. asiatica, which may have implications for its use in traditional medicine and future drug development. Full article