Recent research on Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) shows that extract of this herb decreases the levels of amyloid protein plaque. Studies on mice at Texas A&M university showed a significant decrease in amyloid beta 1-40 and 1-42 following an 8month treatment with 2.5 mg/kg of Centella asiatic extract. A reduction in fibrillar amyloid plaques was detected and it was also confirmed that Centella asiatic extract functions as an antioxidant in vitro, scavenging free radicals, reducing lipid peroxidation and protecting against DNA damage. Centella asiatic extract can alter amyloid beta pathology in the brains of PSAPP mice and modulate components of the oxidative stress response that has been implicated in the neurodegenerative changes that occur with Alzheimer's disease.
In a separate study conducted at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, India, mice were administered 3-NPA - a neurotoxin that elicits conditions similar to Huntington's disease. Centella asiatica prophylaxis completely attenuated the 3-NPA-induced oxidative stress. 3-NPA also caused significant oxidative stress and protein oxidation in cytosol/mitochondria of other brain regions as well which were predominantly abolished by Centella asiatica prophylaxis. Significant depletion of GSH levels, total thiols and perturbations in antioxidant enzymic defences in striatum and other brain regions discernible among 3-NPA administered mice were also protected with Centella asiatica prophylaxis. Interestingly, Centella asiatica prophylaxis offered varying degree of protection against 3-NPA-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions viz., reduction in the activity of succinic dehydrogenase, ETC enzymes and decreased mitochondrial viability.
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