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

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of a dietary supplement containing centella asiatica on on vascular endothelial function in older adults.

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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Centella Asiatica for blood vessel health in older adults?

Research on apigenin, a compound found in some plants, shows it can improve blood vessel function and reduce stiffness in older mice by increasing nitric oxide (a molecule that helps blood vessels relax) and reducing oxidative stress (damage caused by harmful molecules). This suggests that plant-based treatments like Centella Asiatica might also help improve blood vessel health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Centella Asiatica safe for human use?

Centella Asiatica has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in humans, as evidenced by a study where older adults took doses of 2 g and 4 g without any adverse effects. Additionally, it has been used traditionally for various health conditions, and studies suggest it has beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does Centella Asiatica differ from other treatments for blood vessel health in older adults?

Centella Asiatica is unique because it targets the metabolism of connective tissue in the vascular wall, which may help improve blood vessel health by reducing the turnover of certain substances involved in varicose veins. This approach is different from other treatments that might focus on reducing oxidative stress or inflammation directly. ^{1 2 3 11 12}

Eligibility Criteria

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.

I am currently taking sedatives or sleep aids.

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Apigenin restores endothelial function by ameliorating oxidative stress, reverses aortic stiffening, and mitigates vascular inflammation with aging. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Synergistic mechanisms of Sanghuang-Danshen phytochemicals on postprandial vascular dysfunction in healthy subjects: A network biology approach based on a clinical trial. [2021]

3. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Protective effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba on vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by AGEs-BSA in vivo]. [2017]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intermittent supplementation with fisetin improves arterial function in old mice by decreasing cellular senescence. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of endothelium/nitric oxide in vascular response to flavonoids and epicatechin. [2014]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti inflammatory effect of asiaticoside on human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by ox-LDL. [2019]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cardiovascular Protective Effects of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review. [2021]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vasculoprotective effects of Centella asiatica, Justicia gendarussa and Imperata cylindrica decoction via the NOXs-ROS-NF-κB pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Vascular Leakage Effects by Combination of Centella asiatica and Vitis vinifera L. Leaf Extracts. [2021]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Key Components of a Standardized Centella asiatica Product in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Phase 1, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial. [2023]

11. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Centella asiatica extract on mucopolysaccharide metabolism in subjects with varicose veins. [2007]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Protective Effect of Chlorogenic Acid on Vascular Senescence via the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway. [2021]