Centella Asiatica for Blood Vessel Health in Older Adults

Overseen By Anders Gundersen, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: National University of Natural Medicine

Must not be taking: Blood pressure meds, Anticoagulants, Sedatives, others

Disqualifiers: Heart disease, Stroke, Hepatic disease, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how the supplement centella asiatica might improve blood vessel health in older adults. Participants take the supplement in increasing amounts over four weeks, with effects compared to a placebo. Suitable candidates are English-speaking adults aged 50 to 85 who have not experienced recent major health issues, such as a heart attack or stroke, and are not taking certain medications like those for high blood pressure or blood thinners. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to understanding the potential health benefits of centella asiatica.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, including those for high blood pressure, blood thinning, chronic pain relief, sleep aids, nitric-oxide supplements, blood sugar control, and erectile dysfunction. If you are on any of these, you would need to stop them to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that Centella Asiatica is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, is generally safe for most people when taken orally for up to a year. Some studies suggest it might improve blood vessel health by lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation. This potential benefit is why researchers are studying it for blood vessel health in older adults.

However, it's important to note that while Centella asiatica is usually well-tolerated, the evidence for its benefits remains limited. Some individuals might experience mild side effects, but serious issues are rare. Overall, Centella asiatica appears to be a safe option for most people, but consulting a healthcare professional is advisable before joining a trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?

Researchers are excited about Centella Asiatica for blood vessel health in older adults because it offers a natural approach that is different from the usual treatments like statins or blood pressure medications. Unlike these standard treatments, Centella Asiatica is a plant extract that is believed to improve microcirculation and promote the production of collagen, which supports blood vessel integrity. Additionally, its gradual dosage increase allows the body to adapt, potentially minimizing side effects. This novel mechanism and natural origin make it a promising alternative for enhancing vascular health.

What evidence suggests that Centella Asiatica might be an effective treatment for blood vessel health in older adults?

Research has shown that Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, can improve blood vessel health. Studies have found it beneficial for people with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), as it reduces symptoms like heavy legs, pain, and swelling. One study found that gotu kola extracts improved vein function in people with diabetes, suggesting it might also help older adults with similar issues. Another study showed that gotu kola tea lowered blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Additionally, Asiaticoside, a component of Centella asiatica, has been found to protect against artery problems by improving blood vessel health. These findings support the potential benefits of Centella asiatica for blood vessel health. Participants in this trial will receive either Centella asiatica or a placebo to further evaluate its effects on blood vessel health in older adults. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 50-85 who can consent and follow the study plan. It's not for those with severe medical conditions, infectious diseases, on sedatives or blood pressure meds, pregnant/nursing women, heavy drinkers/substance users, or people with certain heart/CNS/liver disorders.

Inclusion Criteria

Sufficient proficiency in English to understand study purpose and directions

Willing and able to give informed consent

I can follow the study plan and attend all appointments.

Exclusion Criteria

I have not had a severe life-threatening illness recently, except for non-melanoma skin cancers.

I do not have any active major infections like pneumonia.

Pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy within the next 6 weeks

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Centella Asiatica or placebo with increasing dosage over 4 weeks

4 weeks

Weekly visits for dosage adjustment and monitoring

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Centella Asiatica

Trial Overview The study tests if a dietary supplement containing Centella Asiatica improves blood vessel function in older adults. Participants will either receive the actual supplement or a placebo to compare effects.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Centlla Asiatica Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

250 mg/day (1 capsules) for week 1. 500 mg/day (2 capsules) for week 2. 750 mg/day (3 capsules) for week 3. 1000 mg/ day (4 capsules) for week 4.

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Matched number of capsules per week. Capsules will contain microcrystalline cellulose.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

National University of Natural Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

34

Recruited

1,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Oral supplementation with apigenin significantly improved arterial function in aging mice by restoring endothelial-dependent dilation and increasing nitric oxide bioavailability, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic for arterial aging.

Apigenin also mitigated age-related aortic stiffness and prevented foam cell formation, indicating its role in reversing key indicators of arterial dysfunction and reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Apigenin restores endothelial function by ameliorating oxidative stress, reverses aortic stiffening, and mitigates vascular inflammation with aging. Clayton, ZS., Hutton, DA., Brunt, VE., et al.[2022]

Fisetin, a natural compound, effectively reduces cellular senescence and inflammation in old mice, leading to improved arterial function and increased nitric oxide bioavailability.

The study demonstrated that fisetin lowers arterial stiffness and promotes favorable arterial wall remodeling, suggesting its potential as a therapy for age-related arterial dysfunction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intermittent supplementation with fisetin improves arterial function in old mice by decreasing cellular senescence. Mahoney, SA., Venkatasubramanian, R., Darrah, MA., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3594936/

A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Centella asiatica for ... However, these studies reported that patients treated with Centella asiatica showed significant improvement in CVI signs such as leg heaviness, pain and oedema.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4908235/

Effectiveness of Gotu Kola Extract 750 mg and 1000 ... This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of gotu kola (Centella asiatica) in improving cognitive function in patients with vascular cognitive impairment

3. medicalnewstoday.com medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gotu-kola-benefits

Gotu kola: Health benefits and side effects The second study found that gotu kola extracts helped with diabetic microangiopathy by improving the function of the veins. This health issue ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1130862120305830

The effect of gotu kola (Centella asiatica L.) tea on blood ... In conclusion, the results of this research are gotu kola tea can decrease blood pressure of hypertension. For further research in order to get better results ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.568032/full

Therapeutic Potential of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes Asiaticoside has been found to reduce endothelial permeability; it can effectively protect the occurrence of atherosclerosis by lowering the levels of ...

6. webmd.com webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-753/gotu-kola

Gotu Kola - Uses, Side Effects, and More When taken by mouth: Gotu kola extract is possibly safe for most people when taken for up to 12 months. · When applied to the skin: Gotu kola is possibly safe ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3116297/

Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential ... CA was reported to act on the connective tissues of the vascular wall, being effective in hypertensive microangiopathy and venous insufficiency and decreasing ...

8. rxlist.com rxlist.com/supplements/gotu_kola.htm

Gotu Kola: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & ... Gotu kola contains certain chemicals that seem to decrease inflammation and also decrease blood pressure in veins. Gotu kola also seems to increase collagen ...

9. ema.europa.eu ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/superseded-assessment-report-centella-asiatica-l-urban-herba_en.pdf

Assessment report on Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, herba Overview of toxicological/safety data from clinical trials in humans ... The search terms were: Centella asiatica, asiaticoside, Gotu Kola, Indian ...