Gotu Kola
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is established in the ancient Indian ayurvedic medical system as a modulator of the crosstalk between the nervous and immune systems )1, having shown significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. It is considered to have great potential as an alternative medicine against neurodegenerative diseases, at least in part by reducing lipid oxidation of the brain and impairment of mitochondria (the “powerhouses” of cells)2.
An active gotu kola component known as asiaticoside A was observed in key brain cell models to limit pathological activity, suggesting it may be effective against MS progression3. In an EAE animal model, gotu kola was observed to turn on antioxidant genes and increase mitochondrial function1,4.
Another of gotu kola’s active components, ursolic acid, has been studied more extensively in the MS context in conventional research, and is covered in its own section.
References
1.Wijeweera G, Wijekoon N, Gonawala L, Imran Y, Mohan C, De Silva KRD. Therapeutic Implications of Some Natural Products for Neuroimmune Diseases: A Narrative of Clinical Studies Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2023;2023:5583996. doi:10.1155/2023/5583996
2.Akhlada, Siddiqui N, Anurag, et al. Neuroprotective Action of Selected Natural Drugs Against Neurological Diseases and Mental Disorders: Potential Use Against Radiation Damage. Neurochem Res. Sep 2024;49(9):2336-2351. doi:10.1007/s11064-024-04184-y
3.Madhu K, Prakash, T. Asiaticoside counteracts the in vitro activation of microglia and astrocytes: Innuendo for multiple sclerosis. Biomed Pharmacother. 2018;107:303-305.
4.Kundu P, Yasuhara K, Brandes MS, et al. Centella asiatica promotes antioxidant gene expression and mitochondrial oxidative respiration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Res Sq. Oct 6 2023;doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3393042/v1