Centella Asiatica and Brain Neurons

Gotu Kola: Can This Ancient Herb Ease Seizures?

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unveiling the Potential of Centella Asiatica in Managing Epilepsy"

Epilepsy affects millions worldwide, presenting as frequent seizures due to irregular brain activity. These seizures vary, depending on where the disturbance begins and how far it spreads. Ancient Indian literature, dating back to 500-1000 BC, recognized this condition, calling it Apasmara.

Approximately 2.4 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy each year globally. Though many lead normal lives with proper treatment, finding effective solutions remains crucial. In a significant number of cases, the cause is unknown, often emerging in childhood and affecting nearly 0.8% of children under seven.

While several drugs are available, the goal is to minimize seizures with tolerable side effects. Unfortunately, existing medications can be ineffective for some and often come with significant adverse reactions. This challenge has prompted exploration into natural remedies, including those from plants, to find better tolerated and more effective treatments for epilepsy.

Centella Asiatica: A Natural Anticonvulsant?

Centella asiatica, or Gotu Kola, is a perennial creeper traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for various conditions, including epilepsy. Found across India, this herb has garnered attention for its potential anticonvulsant properties. A recent study published in the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences evaluated the effectiveness of an aqueous extract of Centella asiatica on seizures in albino mice.

The study aimed to assess whether Centella asiatica could reduce or eliminate seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Researchers administered different doses of Centella asiatica extract to mice and monitored their responses during induced seizures. Abolition of tonic hind limb extension and increased seizure latency were key indicators of protection.

The methods used were:

MES Model: Mice were subjected to electric shock to induce seizures, and the researchers observed the effects of Centella asiatica on seizure duration and severity.
PTZ Model: Pentylenetetrazole was used to induce seizures chemically, allowing researchers to evaluate how Centella asiatica affected seizure latency and hind limb extension.
Statistical Analysis: One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey-Kramer test was used to determine the significance of the results, with a p-value less than 0.05 considered significant.

The results indicated that Centella asiatica has significant anticonvulsant effects. At a dose of 400 mg/kg, the extract notably reduced tonic hind limb extension in both MES and PTZ-induced seizures. Specifically, in the MES method, tonic hind limb extension was abolished in 4 out of 6 mice, and in the PTZ method, all 6 mice showed abolition of seizures. These findings suggest that Centella asiatica could be beneficial in managing both tonic-clonic and absence seizures.

The Future of Centella Asiatica in Epilepsy Treatment

The study highlights the potential of Centella asiatica as a natural remedy for epilepsy, particularly in managing tonic-clonic and absence seizures. While these findings are promising, further research is essential to understand the herb’s exact mechanisms, identify its active compounds, and confirm its safety for long-term use. These steps will pave the way for integrating Centella asiatica into modern epilepsy treatment strategies, potentially offering a more natural and better-tolerated option for those affected by this condition.

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This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i2.15483, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of The Anticonvulsant Effect Of Aqueous Extract Of Centella Asiatica In Albino Mice

Subject: Pharmaceutical Science

Journal: International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Publisher: Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd

Authors: Dipjyoti Deka, Pinaki Chakravarty, Ayan Purkayastha

Published: 2017-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) and why is it being researched for epilepsy?

Gotu Kola, scientifically known as Centella Asiatica, is a creeper plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It's being explored for its potential to help manage epilepsy because of its possible anticonvulsant properties. Research suggests it could be a natural alternative for controlling seizures, potentially offering fewer side effects compared to existing medications. Further studies are needed to fully understand how it works and to ensure its safety for long-term use.

What is epilepsy, and why is there a need to explore alternative treatments like Centella Asiatica?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures, which result from disturbances in brain activity. Ancient Indian literature referred to it as Apasmara. While many people with epilepsy can manage their condition with existing treatments, these medications don't work for everyone and can have significant side effects. This is why there's a growing interest in exploring alternative treatments like Centella Asiatica.

Can you explain what the MES and PTZ models are and how they were used in the Centella Asiatica studies?

The MES (maximal electroshock) model is a method where researchers use electric shock to induce seizures in mice to study the effects of potential anticonvulsant substances. In studies with Centella Asiatica, the MES model was used to observe how the herb affected the duration and severity of seizures caused by electric shock. The PTZ (pentylenetetrazole) model involves using a chemical, pentylenetetrazole, to induce seizures. Researchers use it to evaluate how substances like Centella Asiatica affect the latency and characteristics of chemically induced seizures. Both models help in understanding the potential of Centella Asiatica in managing different types of seizures.

What were the key findings of the studies on Centella Asiatica and its effect on seizures?

The studies showed that Centella Asiatica has anticonvulsant effects. Specifically, a dose of 400 mg/kg of Centella Asiatica extract notably reduced tonic hind limb extension in mice during both MES and PTZ-induced seizures. In the MES model, the tonic hind limb extension was eliminated in 4 out of 6 mice. In the PTZ model, seizures were abolished in all 6 mice. These results suggest that Centella Asiatica might be effective in managing tonic-clonic and absence seizures.

What are the next steps in researching Centella Asiatica as a potential treatment for epilepsy?

While the initial findings on Centella Asiatica are promising, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms, identify its active compounds, and confirm its safety for long-term use. Future research should focus on conducting clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of Centella Asiatica in humans with epilepsy. It's also important to identify potential side effects and interactions with other medications. This will pave the way for integrating Centella Asiatica into modern epilepsy treatment strategies.