Centella Asiatica in the World of Herbs and Beauty

In the current era, there are many studies that are interested in the use of natural antioxidants in foods, beverages, cosmetics and therapies derived from plants. Antioxidants that contain active compounds such as terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, carotenes and vitamin-C which have antioxidant activity.

Pegagan leaf or in the world of beauty known as Centella Asiatica is one of the plants that is currently being discussed in the skincare world and is the target of skincare enthusiasts.

Apart from being used in the herbal world, of course, Centella Asiatica also has many good benefits when used for facial skin. Because its content is rich in antioxidants, and also anti-inflammatory which can help to heal acne and acne scars. Centella Asiatica has now become one of the favorite ingredients when skin conditions are acne and redness.

Here are some of the benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare:

• Treat acne
• Calms the skin when the skin is moderate-redness
• Fixed skin barrier
• For antiaging because it can increase collagen production
• Hydrate facial skin
• Reduce inflammation

Currently, Centella Asiatica has also been widely circulated and is the main ingredient in skincare products such as toner, serum, facial wash, ampoule, essence, moisturizer, face mask, or face cream. But usually Centella Asiatica is mostly found in toners, ampoules, and essences.

Centella asiatica is relatively easy to digest and has a low level of toxicity, so it is often the choice for traditional medicine.

Gotu kola extract boosts the body’s immune system.

Some of the bioactive components of gotu kola as triterpenoid antioxidants function to increase macrophage activation which increases phagocytosis and interleukim secretion. Interleukim secretion will stimulate cells to produce antibodies (Besung, 2009).

Gotu kola extract (Centella asiatica) as a hepatoprotector drug.

The results of the test of the ability of gotu kola extract to protect liver cells from the hepatotoxic effect of CCl4 showed that the preparation of gotu kola extract showed 17.5 mg/kg BW of ethyl acetate and 228.8 mg/kg BW of butanol.

Ethyl acetate extract was able to reduce levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes by 56% and 44%, respectively, while butanol extract was able to reduce AST enzyme levels by 3%. Histopathological examination of liver treated with CCl4 showed a hepatoprotector effect on the addition of ethyl acetate and butanol gotu kola extract, where there was no necrosis and vacuole formation.

The use of gotu kola (Centella asiatica) leaves seems to be an alternative for researchers to know its activity as brain nutrition, because the extract contains compounds that can increase brain intelligence.

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a perennial herbaceous plant without stems. The role of these bioactive components include brahmic acid, which is an antioxidant as a free radical scavenger that can kill brain cells and revitalize blood vessels.

The content of brahmic acid, namely bacoside A helps in the release of nitric oxide which relaxes the body’s blood vessels and bacoside B is a protein containing food substances that are connected to brain cells that can increase brain intelligence.

Gotu Kola can improves cognitive function after stroke

A small 2016 study compared the effects of gotu kola extract and folic acid in improving cognitive function after stroke. This small study assessed its impact on three groups of participants, the first being those taking 1,000 milligrams (mg) of gotu kola per day.

While participants in the second group consumed 750 mg of gotu kola per day and participants in the last group consumed 3 mg of folic acid per day. Although gotu kola and folic acid are both beneficial in improving overall cognitive, gotu kola is more effective in improving memory domains.

“Gotu kola leaf is a great brain tonic so every student should drink it every day. Most adults can also protect their aging brain by eating these foods,” Bodeker added.

From all the explanations above, we can see that Centella Asiatica or what we usually know as “Gotu Kola” is one of the plants that is quite important in its existence. The empowerment and development of this plant is expected to be a shortcut for the herb and beauty sector.