Talk:Mandukaparni
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Mandukaparni |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Hydrocotyle asiatica L. |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Hydrocotyle asiatica L. (syn. Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.), popularly known as Mandukaparni (Gotu Kola), is a small, herbaceous, creeping plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. It is highly revered in Ayurveda as a potent Medhya (intellect-promoting) drug and Rasayana (rejuvenative), traditionally utilized for enhancing cognitive functions, supporting neurological health, and purifying the blood.
English name
Gotu kola, Indian pennywort
Therapeutic uses
Sotha (oedema), Aruchi (anorexia), Jwara (fever), Kasa (cough), Kandu (itching), Kustha (skin disease), Raktapitta (bleeding disorder), Meha (urinary disorders), Swasa (dyspnea), Pandu (anemia), Raktadosha (blood vitiation)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Somavalli, Divya (Mandukaparni is appreciated by all owing to its extraordinary qualities), Mahoushadhi (it is one among the best medicinal plants)
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Manduki (Mandukaparni has a runner and growth pattern resembling how a frog jumps), Tvaastri (Mandukaparni is believed to be an abode of Goddess Lakshmi)[2]
Other varieties
- Centella asiatica
- Trisanthus cochinchinensis
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic texts, Mandukaparni is classified under Vayasthapana (anti-ageing) and Tikta Skandha (group of bitter drugs). It possesses a bitter taste (tikta rasa), cold potency (sheeta veerya), sweet post-digestion effect (madhura vipaka), and light qualities (laghu guna). It acts primarily as a brain tonic (medhya) and pacifies Kapha and Pitta doshas.[2]
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Bitter (tikta)[2] |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta)[2] |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Sweet (madhura)[2] |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu)[2] |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Pitta, Brain tonic (medhya)[2] |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(50) | Vayasthapana mahakashaya (anti-ageing group of herbs) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/95 | In Shaka varga (class of vegetables) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/143 | Tikta skandha (group of bitter drugs) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/41 | As an ingredient for procedure to remove placenta post-delivery |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 1/1/58 | In formulation of Dwitiya brahma rasayana |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 1/3/30 | Ekala rasayana dravya (single rejuvenative drug) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/92 | As a Vardhamana rasayana prayoga |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/181 | In treatment of Sannipatodara (after visha prayoga) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/225 | As a pathya ahara (wholesome diet) |
Dose
- Powder form: 3–6 g[1]
Important formulation
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Brahma rasayana
Current availability
Available
- India – Distributed throughout India, mostly found growing wild in moist and damp marshy areas.
Phytoconstituents
The active constituents of Centella asiatica are pentacyclic triterpene derivatives, chiefly the asiaticosides and madecassosides, which have been the focus of most chemical and pharmacological investigation of the plant.[3]
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Cognitive Function and Mood (Medhya)
Mandukaparni is classified in Ayurveda as a Medhya (intellect-promoting) drug, and its effect on cognition has been tested in a human trial.
- Scientific Evidence: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 28 healthy elderly volunteers received a Centella asiatica extract at 250, 500 or 750 mg once daily for 2 months. The high dose improved working memory and increased the N100 amplitude of the event-related potential, and self-rated mood also improved.[4]
Wound Healing and Skin (Kustha)
The traditional use of Mandukaparni in skin disease and tissue repair has been examined with its main triterpene glycoside, asiaticoside.
- Scientific Evidence: Topical 0.2% asiaticoside in guinea pig punch wounds increased hydroxyproline by 56% and tensile strength by 57%, and gave higher collagen content and better epithelialisation. In streptozotocin-diabetic rats with delayed healing, 0.4% asiaticoside improved the same parameters. It was also active orally at 1 mg/kg in guinea pigs.[5]
- Mechanism: Asiaticoside promoted angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model at 40 µg/disk.[5]
Anxiolytic Action
- Scientific Evidence: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 40 healthy volunteers (20 per group), a single 12 g oral dose of Gotu Kola significantly reduced the peak acoustic startle response at 30 and 60 minutes compared with placebo. It had no significant effect on self-rated mood, heart rate or blood pressure. The authors described the findings as preliminary evidence of anxiolytic activity.[6]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute toxicity (animal study): A single oral dose of 10 g/kg of a standardized Centella asiatica extract (ECa 233) given to mice caused no toxic signs and no deaths during the observation period.[7]
- Precautions: Use under the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda physician, particularly in chronic conditions or when taking conventional medicines.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage: Whole plant powder (churna) 3–6 g daily or as directed by an Ayurveda physician.[1]
Research Gaps
Centella asiatica has been investigated more extensively than most medicinal plants, with clinical evidence mainly for venous insufficiency, striae gravidarum and wound healing disturbances. Clinical studies on its sedative, analgesic, antidepressive, antimicrobial, antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, which have been shown experimentally, are still lacking.[3]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Preparation studied | Model | Principal finding | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive function / Medhya | Plant extract (250–750 mg/day) | Healthy elderly volunteers (RCT, 2 months) | Improved working memory and self-rated mood at the high dose | [4] |
| Wounds & skin diseases / Kustha | Asiaticoside (topical and oral) | Guinea pig and diabetic rat wounds | Higher hydroxyproline, tensile strength, collagen and epithelialisation | [5] |
| Anxiety / stress | Gotu Kola, single 12 g oral dose | Healthy volunteers (RCT) | Reduced acoustic startle response | [6] |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 4: 29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Haritakyadi Varga, verse no. 160, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brinkhaus, B.; Lindner, M.; Schuppan, D.; Hahn, E. G. (2000). "Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the East Asian medical plant Centella asiatica". Phytomedicine. 7 (5): 427–448. PMID 11081995.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wattanathorn, J.; Mator, L.; Muchimapura, S.; Tongun, T.; Pasuriwong, O.; Piyawatkul, N.; Yimtae, K.; Sripanidkulchai, B.; Singkhoraard, J. (2008). "Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 116 (2): 325–332.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Shukla, A.; Rasik, A. M.; Jain, G. K.; Shankar, R.; Kulshrestha, D. K.; Dhawan, B. N. (1999). "In vitro and in vivo wound healing activity of asiaticoside isolated from Centella asiatica". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 65 (1): 1–11. PMID 10350364. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(98)00141-x.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bradwejn, J.; Zhou, Y.; Koszycki, D.; Shlik, J. (2000). "A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects". Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 20 (6): 680–684. PMID 11106141. doi:10.1097/00004714-200012000-00015.
- ↑ Chivapat, S.; Chavalittumrong, P.; Tantisira, M. H. (2011). "Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of a standardized extract of Centella asiatica ECa 233". Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 35 (2): 55–64. doi:10.56808/3027-7922.2152.