Gotu kola has been widely used to treat a variety of illnesses, especially in traditional Eastern medicine. It's derived from the leaves, stem, and aerial parts of Centella asiatica. Gotu kola contains madecassol, madecassic acid, asiatic acid, asiaticentoic acid, centellic acid, centoic acid, isothankuniside, flavonoids including quercetin and kaempferol, and various glycosides such as asiaticoside, brahminoside, brahmoside, centelloside, and madecassoid. It also contains fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols, and tannin.
Asiaticoside promotes wound healing, brahminoside and brahmoside possess sedative properties, and madecassoid exerts anti-inflammatory action. Gotu kola is available as ampules, capsules, ointment, powder, tablets, tinctures, and extract. Common trade names include Centalase, Centasium, Emdecassol, Gotu Kola Gold Extract, Gotu Kola Herb, and Madecassol.
HEPATIC
Reported uses
Gotu kola is used for its anticarcinogenic, antifertility, and antihypertensive effects. It's also used to treat chronic venous in sufficiency, chronic hypertension, and chronic hepatic disorders. Gotu kola is used topically to treat psoriasis and burns and to promote wound healing in patients with chronic lesions such as cutaneous ulcers, leprosy sores, fistulas, and Surgical and gynecologic wounds.
Administration
Capsules: 400 to 500 mg by mouth every day
Creams, ointments: Applied to affected area every day, up to two times a day
Dried leaves: 0.6 g of dried leaves or infusion by mouth three times a day
Standardized extract (40% asiaticoside, 29% to 30% asiatic acid and madecassic acid, respectively, and 1 % to 2% madecassoside): 20 to 40 mg by mouth three times a day.
Hazards
Adverse effects associated with gotu kola include sedation with higher doses, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, contact dermatitis, burning, and pruritus. The plant extracts appear to have very little toxicity, although hypersensitivity reactions may still occur. Large doses of gotu kola may interfere with the effect of hypoglycemics. Large doses of gotu kola may interfere with the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Pregnant patients, breast-feeding patients, young children, and patients with severe renal or hepatic disease should avoid use. Patients with a history of contact dermatitis should use with caution.
Safety Risk Do not confuse gotu kola with kola or kola plant. They are different plants. The latter species has stimulant activities.
Clinical considerations
Topical asiaticoside may cause cancer.
Monitor patient for CNS depression, including drowsiness and increased sleep time.
Monitor blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels with long-term use.
Warn patient about potential for sedation. Advise him to avoid driving until he knows how the herb affects him.
If patient is using the herb for contraception, recommend another method.
Recommend that patient not use the herb for more than 6 weeks at a time.
Tell patient to take capsules with meals.
Advise patient to report planned or suspected pregnancy.
Tell patient to notify pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a conventional treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
Studies support claims for gotu kola's efficacy in wound healing, topical uses for psoriasis, antihypertensive effects, effects on varicose veins, and chronic hepatic disorders.
Gotu Kola - Uses and Side Effects HEPATIC
0 comments:
Post a Comment