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- Title
Centella asiatica accelerates nerve regeneration upon oral administration and contains multiple active fractions increasing neurite elongation in-vitro.
- Authors
Amala Soumyanath; Yong-Ping Zhong; Sandra A. Gold; Xiaolin Yu; Dennis R. Koop; Dennis Bourdette; Bruce G. Gold
- Abstract
Axonal regeneration is important for functional recovery following nerve damage. Centella asiatica Urban herb, also known as Hydrocotyle asiatica L., has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as a nerve tonic. Here, we show that Centella asiatica ethanolic extract (100 μg mL−1) elicits a marked increase in neurite outgrowth in human SH-SY5Y cells in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). However, a water extract of Centella was ineffective at 100 μg mL−1. Sub-fractions of Centella ethanolic extract, obtained through silica-gel chromatography, were tested (100 μg mL−1) for neurite elongation in the presence of NGF. Greatest activity was found with a non-polar fraction (GKF4). Relatively polar fractions (GKF10 to GKF13) also showed activity, albeit less than GKF4. Thus, Centella contains more than one active component. Asiatic acid (AA), a triterpenoid compound found in Centella ethanolic extract and GKF4, showed marked activity at 1 μM (μg mL−1). AA was not present in GKF10 to GKF13, further indicating that other active components must be present. Neurite elongation by AA was completely blocked by the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibitor PD 098059 (10 μM). Male Sprague-Dawley rats given Centella ethanolic extract in their drinking water (300–330 mg kg−1 daily) demonstrated more rapid functional recovery and increased axonal regeneration (larger calibre axons and greater numbers of myelinated axons) compared with controls, indicating that the axons grew at a faster rate. Taken together, our findings indicate that components in Centella ethanolic extract may be useful for accelerating repair of damaged neurons.
- Publication
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, 2005, Vol 57, Issue 9, p1221
- ISSN
0022-3573
- Publication type
Article