10 replies to this topic

[xeon]

I have not been able to find any concrete information about how Gotu Kola affects the brain and body.

• Does it affect GABA levels or is it a GABA agonist?
• What else does it do?
• Is it safe to take in the long term?

I think a lot of people want to know more about Gotu Kola. If you have any information about it, including personal experiences, please post it here.

[pamojja]

Well worth signing up a free account for a few well researched monographs of Ayurvedic herbs:

http://www.toddcalde.../learning-herbs

Does it affect GABA levels or is it a GABA agonist?

Contraindications: A water-soluble fraction of Centella asiatica was reported to inhibit hepatic enzymes responsible for barbiturate metabolism (Leung and Foster 1996), and has been found to have a GABAnergic activity (Chatterjee et al 1992). Mandukaparni is thus contraindicated with the concurrent use of drugs such as benzodiazepines, barbituates or antiepileptics. Contact dermatitis has been reported in some clients using preparations of fresh or dried parts of the plant (Eun and Lee 1985). Although the triterpene constituents have shown to lack any kind or teratogenic effects (Bosse et al 1979), relaxation of the rat uterus has been documented for brahmoside and brahminoside, and therefore Mandukaparni is thus avoided in pregnancy (Ramaswamy et al 1970). Hyperglycemic and hypercholesterolemic effects have been reported for asiaticoside in humans (Newall et al 1996), and caution should be exercised with the concomitant use of hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic therapies. Frawley and Lad report high doses of Mandukaparni may cause a loss of consciousness and headaches, and that it may aggravate pruritis (1986, 171). The majority of Ayurvedic texts suggest that Mandukaparni is contraindicated in Vataja conditions (Warrier et al 1995, 54-55).

What else does it do?

Indications: Gastric ulceration and inflammation, dysentery, jaundice, hepatitis, fever, bronchitis, alopecia, eczema, psoriasis, leprous ulcers, venereal diseases, burns, anxiety, poor memory, ADD/ADHD, senility, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, chronic fatigue, premature aging, hypertension, anemia, diabetes, edema, varicosities, phlebitis, venous insufficiency, immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorders, cancer.

Medicinal uses: Mandukaparni is a common green vegetable throughout Southeast Asia, from India to the Phillipines, sometimes eaten raw as a side dish, or prepared as a juice. It is said to be a favourite food of elephants in Sri Lanka. Modern clinical research has supported many of the time-honoured properties attributed to Mandukaparni. Plant geneticists have recently termed Mandukaparni as an “Araliaceous hydrocotyloid,” for although it is a member of the Apiaceae, it bears many similarities both botanically and in therapeutic action with other genera of the Araliaceae, such as Panax. For internal administration the fresh plant is considered best, either as a juice, or more recently, as a fresh plant tincture. Dried plant preparations howeve are used in Ayurveda and should not be considered as useless, but care should be taken to carefully source the herb, as Mandukaparni grows quite well along the edges of rivers and sewer outfalls and could be contaminated with heavy metals, fecal coliform or parasites. Mandukaparni is a useful treatment in a range of mental and cerebrovascular conditions including epilepsy, stroke, dementia, memory loss, poor concentration, and attention deficit disorder. Some texts state that Mandukaparni is the same as Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) in action, some even suggesting that they are even one and the same. They are however different plants with a different range of activities, but both are active as agents to enhance mental function. Generally speaking, Mandukaparni is used in cognitive dysfunction where Pitta is the predominant dosha, best used as the fresh juice, 25 mL twice daily. In skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema benefit can be obtained by using Mandukaparni with hepatics such as Bhringaraja, Manjishta, Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) and Yellowdock (Rumex crispus). Mandukaparni may also be used topically in salves and balms to treat chapped lips, herpetic lesions, leprosy, scrofula, seborrheic dermatitis, 'dish pan' hands, eczema, psoriasis and insect bites and stings. As an alternative to antibiotics, Mandukaparni could be taken internally with Katuka and Bhunimba, or Western herbs such as Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis. root) and Purple Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) in the treatment of infectious conditions. For wounds Mandukaparni can be combined with Manjishta, Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis root), applied topically and taken internally to speed healing and recovery. A topical extract of Centella asiatica was found to be useful in Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) when used as a shaving lubricant (Spencer 1985). Mandukaparni, along with other immunomodulants such as Huang qi (Astragalus membranaceus) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera root), should be considered an adjunct in the treatment of immunodeficiency diseases. The Ashtanga Hrdaya mentions the usefulness of Mandukaparni in the treatment of sannipataja udara (abdominal enlargement in which all three doshas are active), after purgative therapies have been initiated, taken as the fresh juice for a period of a month (Srikanthamurthy 1995, 438).

Is it safe to take in the long term?

Toxicity: No relevant data found.

[xeon]

Toxicity: No relevant data found.

If it agonizes GABA receptors at all wouldn't it have potential to cause tolerance/dependence?

[Godof Smallthings]

One reason you are having troubles finding info on gotu kola's effects may be that the Wikipedia article was recently changed. Only secondary sources are acceptable (i.e. sources that have replicated the results of a first published report).

While there are many primary reports on gotu kola's effects, the lack of replicated ones means that Wikipedia's editors have erased all primary claims. I guess it makes sense in order to avoid exaggerated claims, but the lack of info in the current centella asiatica article makes it seem like the plant has no medicinal uses. Rather absurd considering how important a herb it is around these parts.

Here in Thailand, many people drink freshly blended gotu kola juice daily, the dried leaves are used as a herbal tea, and it is sometimes eaten as a side vegetable.

Last year I used it daily (about 3 glasses daily of freshly blended juice) for four months straight. I've not experienced any indications that it would cause physiological or psychological dependence. There was no come-down, nor any negative effects from quitting. Any tendencies toward addiction would have been observed long ago given the plant's long term use in traditional medicine.

I don't take it so often these days as it is difficult to find a source where you can be certain that the plant has not grown in a contaminated environment. I do know one place that has their own organic cultivation, but it is too far away from where I live, so it's only like once every two weeks that I get the fresh juice now.

[xeon]

Thanks for the information Godof Smallthings!

I'm extremely hesitant to put anything in my body than can potentially activate the GABA receptors and cause dependence, etc. I have some and want to try it but I want to know what I'm putting in my body before I do it.

I don't take it so often these days as it is difficult to find a source where you can be certain that the plant has not grown in a contaminated environment.

What type of contamination, and do you think it's likely that my Now Foods Gotu Kola could be contaminated? They seem like a pretty reputable brand in my opinion.

[Galaxyshock]

Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all

http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3116297/

Sedative and anxiolytic properties:

CA was described to possess CNS effects in Indian literature such as stimulatory-nervine tonic, rejuvenant, sedative, tranquilizer and intelligence promoting property[27]. It has been traditionally used as a sedative agent in many Eastern cultures; the effect was postulated mainly due to the brahmoside and brahminoside constituents, while the anxiolytic activity is considered to be, in part due to binding to cholecystokinin receptors (CCKB), a group of G protein coupled receptors which bind the peptide hormones cholesystokinin (CCK) or gastrin and were thought to play a potential role in modulation of anxiety, nociception, memory and hunger in animals and humans[28].

Antidepressant properties:

The antidepressant effects of total triterpenes from CA on the immobility time in forced swimming mice and concentration of amino acid in mice brain tissue was observed. In the study, imipramine and total triterpenes from CA reduced the immobility time and ameliorated the imbalance of amino acid levels confirming the antidepressant activity of CA[29]. The same authors investigated the possible antidepressant effect of total triterpentes of CA by measuring the corticosterone levels in mice brain[30]. The contents of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in rats cortex, hippocampus and thalamus were evaluated wherein significant reduction of the corticosterone level and increase of the contents of 5-HT, NE, DA and their metabolites 5-HIAA, MHPG in rat brain were observed which further strengthened the postulated involvement of total triterpenes of CA in ameliorating the function of HPA axis and increasing the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters for its antidepressant effects.

Antiepileptic properties:

Asian CA increases the cerebral levels of GABA, which explains its traditional use as anxiolytic and anticonvulsant. The isolated steroids from the plant have been used to treat leprosy[31]. In one study, the effects of aqueous CAE (100 and 300 mg/kg) were evaluated on the course of kindling development, kindling-induced learning deficit and oxidative stress markers in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindled rats[32]. Passive avoidance test and spontaneous locomotor activity, after 24 and 48 h after administration of PTZ, and oxidative stress parameters like malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione were carried out in the whole brain of animals. The administration of CA (300 mg/kg, p.o) decreased the PTZ-kindled seizures and showed improvement in the learning deficit induced by PTZ kindling as evidenced by decreased seizure score and increased latencies in passive avoidance behaviour. The findings suggested the potential of aqueous CAE as adjuvant to antiepileptic drugs with an added advantage of preventing cognitive impairment. The hydroalcoholic extract of CA leaves was also subjected to pharmacological screening using various experimental models and was found to show protective action against increase in intracranial electric stimulation (ICES) and chemo-convulsions, which includes pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions, pentylenetetrazol-kindled seizures, and strychnine-induced opisthotonus tonic convulsions on oral administration[33]. It also showed a reduction in formation of lipid peroxidation products, reduction in spontaneous motor activity, potentiation in diazepam withdrawal-induced hyperactivity, hypothermia, and potentiation of pentobarbitone sleeping time. The extract (200 mg/kg body weight) completely inhibited pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions. In pentylenetetrazol-kindled seizures and strychnine-induced convulsions, the extract showed protection at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. The doses of the extract selected for remaining studies were based on pilot studies, animal model used, and so forth. These findings suggested its potential anticonvulsant as well as antioxidant, and CNS depressant actions[33].

Cognitive and antioxidant properties:

CA is known to re-vitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention span and concentration and combat aging[8]. A study demonstrated cognitive-enhancing and anti-oxidant properties of CA in normal rats. The effect of an aqueous CA extracts (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg for 21 days) was evaluated in intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in rats[34]. The rats treated with CA showed a dose-dependent increase in cognitive behaviour in passive avoidance and elevated plus-maze paradigms. A significant decrease in MDA and an increase in glutathione and catalase levels were observed only in rats treated with 200 and 300 mg/kg CA. As the oxidative stress or an impaired endogenous anti-oxidant mechanism is an important factor as implicated in Alzheimer>s disease (AD), cognitive deficits seen in the elderly and the i.c.v. STZ in rats has been linked to sporadic AD in humans. The cognitive impairment was associated with free radical generation in the model in the above study. The findings reported in above study suggested the potential efficacy of CA in preventing the cognitive deficits, as well as the oxidative stress[34]. To throw more light on mechanism of these neuroprotection by CA, one recent study reported that the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) was enhanced in both a neuroblastoma cell line expressing amyloid beta 1-42 (A beta) and in rat embryonic cortical primary cell culture[35]. In addition, the contribution of two major single components to the enhanced CREB phosphorylatioin was examined. Furthermore, inhibitors were applied in this study revealed that ERK/RSK signalling pathway (extra cellular signal-regulated kinase- ribosomal S6 kinase) might mediate this effect of CA extract. In another study, while, oral treatment with 50 mg/kg/day of crude methanol extract of CA for 14 days significantly increased the anti-oxidant enzymes, like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in lymphoma-bearing mice, the anti-oxidants like glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid were decreased in the animals[36]. In one study, derivatives of asiatic acid derivatives were shown to exert significant neuroprotective effects on cultured cortical cells by their potentiation of the cellular oxidative defence mechanism. Therefore, these agents were proved to be efficacious in protecting neurons from the oxidative damage caused by exposure to excess glutamate[37]. Another study demonstrated the protective effects of asiaticoside derivatives against beta-amyloid neurotoxicity when tested on B103 cell cultures and hippocampal slices. Out of 28 of the asiaticoside derivatives three components, including asiatic acid, showed a strong inhibition of beta-amyloid- and free radical-induced cell death. These derivatives may be candidates for a treatment of Alzheimer>s disease that protects neurons from beta-amyloid toxicity[38].

Gotu Kola's GABAergic effect is through stimulation of GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase, conversion of glutamate -> GABA)
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18066140
and it's also a selective GABA-B agonist:
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/22112723


Despite the GABAergic effect, I've never experienced or heard of someone getting withdrawals from it or dependence. Tolerance developes very slowly and side effects are non-existant. Someone here used it continously for over a year without any negatives. I've used it on and off for over a year and half, at times up to 12 grams a day, without any noticeable issues. It's perhaps my all-time favourite herb, anxiolytic anti-depressive and generally very healthy.

Edited by Galaxyshock, 28 September 2013 - 05:17 AM.

[xeon]

Thanks Galaxyshock! I couldn't seem to find this information you posted.

I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and I figured I would give Gotu Kola a try. My anxiety is no longer overwhelming like it once was, but today I took GK and didn't notice any profound effects except I could feel when it wore off. As it started to wear off my anxiety increased, my thoughts started racing and I could not concentrate very well on anything and my mood got a little worse. I'm positive this would not have happened if I had not taken the Gotu Kola. I feel like I should experiment with it more - but because of what it did this time I most likely will not continue and will stick to things that have no affect on GABA or its receptors.

Gotu Kola seems to be well tolerated by most people, but maybe my brain chemistry is different in terms of anxiety. Maybe I have too much glutamate activity or something. Not really sure.

[Galaxyshock]

I think there was someone else here in longecity who also had a negative reaction to Gotu Kola. It's of course possible with every substance.

Bacopa could be a good non-gabaergic herbal anxiolytic with similar benefits as GK.

[xeon]

I think there was someone else here in longecity who also had a negative reaction to Gotu Kola. It's of course possible with every substance.

Not surprising to me based on my experience. Good for those who never have a negative reaction though.

Bacopa could be a good non-gabaergic herbal anxiolytic with similar benefits as GK.

I actually took some Bacopa last night to see if it would help calm me down from the anxiety GK caused me and sure enough, I felt back to my normal self within the hour. I was not super relaxed or anything, but I could relax enough to go to sleep and I never have any negative side effects from Bacopa other than tiredness (which could supposedly be combated by taking Ginkgo or Ginseng alongside it).

Very strange to me how I respond so negatively to things like Gotu Kola and other people don't. I've never abused anything GABAergic. I've only had alcohol 3-4 times in my life and I have rarely taken anti-anxiety meds or anything. Yet I have this high sensitivity and withdrawal effect from things like Gotu Kola and Passionflower and even get headaches and muscle tension afterward. Oh well -- common sense says to stay away from them so that's what I'll do haha

Edited by xeon, 28 September 2013 - 03:25 PM.

[Renegade]

I've been taking it daily for a year and my cognition has gradually improved over this period. Whether gotu kola has facilitied this, I can not say, however from the research I have done, it is a long term keeper for me. Many herbs and supps give me bad side effects and gotu is rare in that it is nero regenerative substanceI actually feel good, or at least neutral on, with the hope of facilitating long term brain health.

Im basically sold on the studies demonstrating neurite growth and improved cognition in healthy adults, and the fact that it is a herb with a long and respected history in aurevedic medicine.

The 'law of signatures' correlation is also interesting if you are open to a more 'mystical' perspective. The leaves resemble the two hemispheres of the brain, similar to ginkgo and walnuts!

Edited by Renegade, 29 September 2013 - 07:18 PM.

[eon]

I read somewhere that Walnuts have serotonin especially black walnuts which is more bitter and generally used for culinary. I feel good when I eat it. Good mention of it resembling a brain. I had just gotten a tiny ounce of gotu kola just to try it out. I got it from an organic market. Curious what's wrong with taking gaba-ergic stuff? I had been taking picamilon (which is niacin and gaba) on occasion yet I don't feel I am building a tolerance for it. I'm guessing this is gaba-ergic?