Centella

Asiatic centella extract has a vegetable origin; chemically, it consists of asiaticosideo (40%), madecassic acid (30%) and Asiatic acid (30%), triterpenic derivatives which act in vitro
on fibroblasts, stimulating collagen and mucopolysaccharide synthesis.
A histological study using epidermic cell cultures has demonstrated stimulation of the keratinization process by asiaticosideo.Both topically and systemically, an effect on the microcirculation has been observed. This effectincludes increased lower limb perfusion, which has been demonstrated through capillaroscopy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency
who were being treated for chronic venous ulcers.

Toxicity tests, as well as cutaneous hypersensitivity tests, have shown these compounds to be harmless when used either systemically or topically.

Centella extract has been used systemically in several studies of GLD. Analysis of the results is made difficult by the varied methodologies, as well as the different and non-standardized
evaluation criteria. Another confounding factor is the absence of controls in most of the studies.

A histopathological, double-blind study has evaluated adipocyte size (diameter average
of 200 adipocytes) in the gluteofemoral region, compared with the deltoid region, in 35 patients. Twenty patients were treated with 60 mg of dry Asiatic centella extract orally once
a day for 90 days, There was a significant reduction in the diameter of adipocytes in both regions in the patients who received centella compared to those who received placebo; this
reduction was more apparent on the gluteofemoral region ( P<>

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