Immunity through Nutrition and Natural Product

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the fast-moving world to almost a standstill. Human is a social animal and restrictions such as maintaining social distancing and avoiding social gatherings has adversely affected the mental health of the whole society. This has increased the stress levels by enhancing the feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration.¹

Studies have revealed that Herbs from ancient time has helped in the management of stress. Many plants and their phytoconstituents have been shown to have a positive influence on both anxiety and depression. Reports have shown that vitamins C, D, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and L-theanine increase the production of dopamine. Also, L-tryptophan and its precursor, 5-HTP, and the B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, and omega-3 fats increase serotonin productions which are important neurotransmitters essential for various body functions including different mental health conditions. ^2,3 Centella asiatica is one such herb that has stress-relieving or anxiolytic properties.

Centella asiatica contains triterpenes and saponins which include Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid, Asiaticosside, Madecassoside, Brahmoside, Brahmic acid, Brahminoside, Thankiniside, Isothankunisode, Centelloside, Madasiatic acid, Centic acid, and Cenellic acid.  Reports revealed that the increase in the cerebral levels of GABA causes anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity. Centelloside and its derivatives are found to be effective in the treatment of venous hypertension. ^2,3

Asiaticosside is considered responsible for the anxiolytic effect. An animal study was conducted, in which different animal models were used the study the anxiolytic activity. These included elevated plus maze (EPM), open field method, social interaction, locomotor activity, punished drinking (Vogel) and novel cage tests. The EPM test revealed that Centella asiatica , its methanol and ethyl acetate extracts and pure asiaticoside, exhibited anxiolytic activity. ⁴

In another study anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of asiatic acid contained in Centella asitica and its potential modulation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor was studied on rat models. Analysis of the data was done by a two-tailed multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Significant and satisfactory results were observed in the asiatic acid group and the midazolam + asiatic acid (P < .05). Further, the group containing Flumazenil decreased the anxiolytic effects, that AA modulates the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor. Further studies are recommended to determine the efficacy of prolonged treatment for anxiety and depression.⁵

Another animal model study revealed the antidepressant-like activity of asiatic acid (dihydroxyursolic acid) in the mouse by forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg doses. ⁶

A previous study including 40 participants stated that Centella asiatica was helpful in improving the startle response which was associated with anxiety.⁷

Thus, the above studies conclude that Centella asiatica has significant anxiolytic activity and can prove to be a wonder herb to fight against depression and anxiety and help common people lead a normal life in this pandemic situation.

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
2. Rajni Kant, P. P. S., and Ashis Kumar Datta. The Medicinal Role of Centella asiatica and ItsApplications in the Dahi: A Research Review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International 2019, 28(6): , 1-9.
3. Elham Alramadhan, M. S. H., Mena S. Hanna, Todd A. Goldstein, Samantha M. Avila, and Benjamin S. Weeks. Dietary and botanical anxiolytics. Med Sci Monit. 2012, 18(4), RA40–RA48.
4. P Wijeweera 1, J. T. A., D Koszycki, Z Merali. Evaluation of anxiolytic properties of Gotukola--(Centellaasiatica) extracts and asiaticoside in rat behavioral models. Phytomedicine, 2006, 13(9-10), 668-676.
5. Tomás Eduardo Ceremuga, D. V., Catherine Kenner, Amy Lucia, Keith Lathrop, Owen Stailey, Heather Bailey, Jonathan Criss, Jessica Linton, Jordan Fried, Andrew Taylor, Gina Padron, Arthur Don Johnson. Evaluation of the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of asiatic acid, a compound from Gotu kola or Centellaasiatica, in the male Sprague Dawley rat. AANA J 2015, 83(2), 91-98.
6. Sanjay, C. G. a. S. The Antidepressant-like Activity of Asiatic Acid in Albino Mice Involves the Monoaminergic System. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol, 2020, 64(1), 59–68.
7. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gotu-kola-benefits#anxiety