CENTELLA AND ITS COSMETIC APPLICATIONS
The active ingredients of Centella asiatica have shown to have modulating properties on the development and metabolism of connective tissue.
Centella asiatica has been documented to aid wound healing in several scientific studies. One of the primary mechanisms of action of this plant appears to be the stimulation of type-1 collagen production. Animal studies have consistently shown topical application of Centella asiatica to a sutured wound significantly increased the breaking strength of the wound.
Thus, selected triterpenes of Centella asiatica may help to improve wound repair with a better re-epithelialisation and a normalisation of perivascular connective tissue allowing an improvement of the venous wall tone and elasticity.
Collagen synthesis stimulating activity
Cream
Oil
Activity on vascular tone
Rigorous clinical investigation of Centella asiatica has been conducted on chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Centellahas the potential to enhance connective tissue integrity, elevate antioxidant levels in wound healing, and improve capillary permeability.
Mucoploysaccharides are one of the main components of the amorphous cellular matrix (ground substance) that maintains vascular integrity.
The biochemical action of Centellaextract was shown to reduce serum levels of lysosomal enzymes involved in the degradation of mucopolysaccharides considering as an evidence of the positive effect of Centella extract on the pathogenesis of varicose veins.
According to the different studies done we can consider that Centellaextract is recommendable to formulate cosmetic products with vessel protection, venotonic and anti-cellulite activities.
Antioxidant activity
Several studies have shown that oral treatment with extracts of Centella Asiaticacan improve the activities of antioxidant enzymes and slow down the oxidative stress process.
Thus, Centella Asiatica extract is recommendable to formulate cosmetic products for the protection of skin and hair against oxidative processes.
Effects/Uses table
| Effects | Cosmetic Uses |
Stimulates healing of wounds, sores, eczema, ulcers, infected cuts & other skin ailments [1,2,3,4,6,7,9,13] Stimulates collgen synthesis |12] | Product dedicated for damaged and chapped skin After sun creams6 |
Promotes keratinisation and healthy growth of the recticulo-endothelium (skin & underlying connective tissue) Improves tensile strength of tissue, when applied topically [4,7,9] | Skin care especially anti-ageing products and products for mature skins. Eye contour creams |
Antiseptic [6] Cleansing wounds [2,8] Purifying [6] | Anti-acne products and products for blemished, problem & adolescent skins |
Anti-cellulite [13] Anti-oedema [6] | Anti-cellulite, skin firming and contouring products & creams for massage & “heavy legs” |
Skin smoothing [6] Tonic ]8] | Bath & shower products |
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- Duke, James A. (1985) Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, pub. CRC Press Inc.
- Wren, R.C. (1988) Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs & Preparations, pub. Daniel Co. Ltd.
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- Plants in Cosmetics, Volume I-: Prepared by the Committee of Experts on Cosmetic Products with the collaboration of Prof. Anton Robert, Dr Franco Patri & Prof. Vittorio Silano., Council of Europe Publishing, 2001.
- Newall, Carol A, Anderson, Linda A. & Phillipson, J. David (1996) Herbal Medicines : A Guide for Health-care Professionals, pub. The Pharmaceutical press, London
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- Duke, J, (1997) The Green Pharmacy pub. St Martin’s Press, N.Y. (by arrangement with Rodale Press)
- Roth, L., Daunderer, M. & Kormann, K. (1984)Giftpflanzen Pflanzengifte : Vorkommen, Wirkung, Therapie, Allergie und Phtotoxische reaktionen, pub. ecomed verlagsgellschaft mbH, Landsberg, München.
- Dr Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases – Centella asiatica (L) URBAN (Apiaceae) Gotu kola, Pennywort. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/plants.html
- Maquart, M. et al. (1990) Stimulation of collagen syntheis in fibroblast cultures by a triterpene extracted from Centella asiatica. Connect. Tissue Res. 24 (2) : 107-20.
- Hausen, B.M. (1993) Centella asiatica (Indian Pennywort) : an effective theraputic but a weak sensitiser. Contact dermatitis, 29 (4): 175-9.
- Cesarone, M.R. et al. (1994) (The microcirculatory activity of Centella asiatica in venous insufficiency. A double blind study) In Ital. Minerva Cardiolangiol. 42 (6): 299-304.