Ethnobotany and Scientific Evidence of Centella asiatica: From Traditional Medicine to Functional Foods
Keywords:
Ethnobotany, Scientific Evidence, Centella asiatica, Secondary metabolites, Bioactive PropertiesAbstract
Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) is a medicinal herb of significant importance in both traditional medicine and modern medical applications. Its bioactive compounds, such as asiaticoside and madecassoside, possess a wide range of pharmacological properties, including wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, neuroprotection, and cognitive enhancement. These attributes have solidified the plant's role as a key component in contemporary functional foods and biomedical products. Ethnobotanical studies have highlighted the cultural and medicinal significance of C. asiatica across various Asian societies, while modern scientific research has validated and expanded its traditional uses. Optimizing cultivation processes, particularly in regions with favorable climatic conditions such as Thailand, is critical to meet the growing global demand for high-quality C. asiatica. Despite the challenges posed by the variability of bioactive compound concentrations, these issues present an opportunity for further research to refine cultivation techniques, ensuring consistency in the bioactivity and efficacy of the plant. Continued exploration and research will not only enhance confidence in its therapeutic properties but also support its integration into both traditional and modern medical practices, while ensuring sustainable cultivation practices for the future. The integration of C. asiatica into functional foods and nutraceuticals faces certain challenges, notably the variability in concentrations of bioactive compounds. However, these challenges present opportunities for further research to standardize cultivation techniques and ensure consistency in product potency and efficacy. Future studies, particularly large-scale randomized controlled trials, are essential to substantiate the long-term health benefits of this herb and solidify its role in both traditional and modern medical practices. Ongoing research not only enhances our comprehension of the plant's full potential but also opens avenues for discovering novel therapeutic applications and refining cultivation methodologies, ensuring its sustainable use in the future.
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