Centella asiatica

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the celery family Apiaceae}} {{About|Asiatic pennywort|Virginia pennywort|Obolaria}} {{Speciesbox |image = Centella asiatica (থানকুনি) (3).jpg |status = LC |status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Lansdown, R.V. |date=2019 |title=''Centella asiatica'' |volume=2019 |article-number=e.T168725A88308182 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T168725A88308182.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> |genus = Centella |species = asiatica |authority = (L.) Urban |synonyms_ref = <ref name=cabi/> |synonyms = ''Hydrocotyle asiatica'' <small>L.</small><br/>''Trisanthus cochinchinensis'' <small>Lour.</small> }}

'''''Centella asiatica''''', commonly known as '''Indian pennywort''', '''Asiatic pennywort''', '''spadeleaf''', '''coinwort''' or '''gotu kola''',<ref name=EPPO>{{cite web | title = ''Centella asiatica'' | url = https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/CLLAS | publisher = European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) | access-date = 23 January 2024}}</ref> is a herbaceous, perennial plant in the flowering plant family Apiaceae.<ref name="cabi">{{cite web|title=''Centella asiatica'' (Asiatic pennywort)|url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/12048|publisher=Invasive Species Compendium, CABI|access-date=2 January 2018|date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723222636/https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/12048|archive-date=23 July 2017}}</ref> It is native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean.<ref name=cabi/><ref name=PoWo>{{cite web |title=''Centella asiatica'' (L.) Urb. |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/1197718-2 |access-date=12 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=United States Department of Agriculture | title= Plant Profile for ''Centella asiatica'' | url=https://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CEAS | access-date = 15 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="FD">{{cite web | last=Floridata | title= ''Centella asiatica'' | url=http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cent_asi.cfm | access-date = 15 July 2012}}</ref> It is consumed as a culinary vegetable and is used in traditional medicine.<ref name=cabi/>

== Description == The stems are slender, creeping stolons, green to reddish-green in color, connecting plants to each other.<ref name=cabi/> It has long-stalked, green leaves; the leaf blade has a rounded apex, a smooth texture and palmately netted veins;<ref name=cabi/> the leaf stalk is broadened at the base into a leaf-sheath. The rootstock consists of rhizomes, growing vertically down. They are cream in color and covered with root hairs.<ref name=cabi/>

The flowers are white or crimson in color, born in small, rounded bunches (umbels) near the surface of the soil.<ref name=cabi/> Each flower is partly enclosed in two green bracts. The hermaphrodite flowers are minute in size, less than {{convert|3|mm|abbr=on}}, with five to six corolla lobes per flower. Each flower bears five stamens and two styles. The fruit are densely reticulate, distinguishing it from species of ''Hydrocotyle'' which have smooth, ribbed or warty fruit.<ref name="FD"/> The crop matures in three months, and the whole plant, including the roots, is harvested manually. ''C. asiatica'' has numerous common names in its regions of distribution.<ref name=cabi/> [[File:Triterpenes from Centella asiatica.svg|thumb|Triterpene compounds of ''Centella asiatica'']]

== Ecology == ''Centella'' grows in temperate and tropical swampy areas in many regions of the world.<ref name=cabi/> ''C. asiatica'' is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent (including Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia, parts of Australia, and wetland regions of the Southeastern US.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Centella asiatica''|url=http://www.floraofalabama.org/Plant.aspx?id=331|website=Alabama Plant Atlas|access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=''Centella asiatica''|url=http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=709|website=Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants|access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Because the plant is aquatic, it is especially sensitive to biological and chemical pollutants in the water, which may be absorbed into the plant. It can be cultivated in drier soils, including sandy loam,{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} as long as they are watered regularly enough (such as in a home garden arrangement).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Singh|first1=Rambir|last2=Kharsyntiew|first2=Balasiewdor|last3=Sharma|first3=Poonam|last4=Sahoo|first4=Uttam Kumar|last5=Sarangi|first5=Prakash Kumar|last6=Prus|first6=Piotr|last7=Imbrea|first7=Florin|title=The Effect of Production and Post-Harvest Processing Practices on Quality Attributes in Centella asiatica (L.) Urban—A Review|journal=Agronomy|volume=13|issue=8|date=2023-07-28|doi=10.3390/agronomy13081999|page=1999|doi-access=free|bibcode=2023Agron..13.1999S }}</ref>

It is considered a highly invasive plant in a number of Pacific islands to which it has been introduced, being rated as "high risk" in this context. There is however not much data on what problems it is actually causing. It is noted as a contributor to the decline of Hawaiian sedge species ''Carex thunbergii'' and ''Carex echinata''. It is considered invasive in: Chagos Archipelago, Seychelles, Hawaii, Lord Howe Island, French Polynesia, Marshall Islands, Niue, Norfolk Island, Solomon Islands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands.<ref name=cabi/>

== Phytochemicals == ''C. asiatica'' contains pentacyclic triterpenoids and their trisaccharide glycosides. For example it contains asiatic acid and brahmic acid (madecassic acid) along with their corresponding derivatives, asiaticoside and brahmoside (madecassoside). Other constituents include centellose and centelloside.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Bhagirath |last2=Rastogi |first2=R.P. |title=A reinvestigation of the triterpenes of ''Centella asiatica'' |journal=Phytochemistry |date=May 1969 |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=917–921 |doi=10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85884-7 |bibcode=1969PChem...8..917S }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Bhagirath |last2=Rastogi |first2=R.P. |title=Chemical examination of ''Centella asiatica'' linn—III |journal=Phytochemistry |date=August 1968 |volume=7 |issue=8 |pages=1385–1393 |doi=10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85642-3 |bibcode=1968PChem...7.1385S }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Joseph E. Pizzorno, Michael T. Murray|title=Textbook of natural medicine|date=2012|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|location=Edinburgh|isbn=978-1-4377-2333-5|page=650|edition=4th}}</ref> Approximately 124 chemical compounds have been isolated and identified from ''Centella asiatica''.<ref name="pmid33861456">{{cite book | vauthors = Torbati FA, Ramezani M, Emami SA | title=Pharmacological Properties of Plant-Derived Natural Products and Implications for Human Health | chapter=Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Features of Centella asiatica: A Comprehensive Review | series=Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology | volume=1308 | pages=451–499 | year=2021 | doi= 10.1007/978-3-030-64872-5_25 | pmid=33861456| isbn=978-3-030-64871-8 }}</ref>

== Genetics == ''C. asiatica'' individuals are diploid, tetraploid, or hexaploid (2n = 18/36/54).<ref name=cabi/> A chromosome-level genome was published in 2021.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pootakham |first1=Wirulda |last2=Naktang |first2=Chaiwat |last3=Kongkachana |first3=Wasitthee |last4=Sonthirod |first4=Chutima |last5=Yoocha |first5=Thippawan |last6=Sangsrakru |first6=Duangjai |last7=Jomchai |first7=Nukoon |last8=U-thoomporn |first8=Sonicha |last9=Romyanon |first9=Kanokwan |last10=Toojinda |first10=Theerayut |last11=Tangphatsornruang |first11=Sithichoke |title=De novo chromosome-level assembly of the Centella asiatica genome |journal=Genomics |date=July 2021 |volume=113 |issue=4 |pages=2221–2228 |doi=10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.05.019|doi-access=free }}</ref> A telomere-to-telomere genome was published in 2025 along with A/B compartments annotation. ''C. asiatica'' belongs to an early-branching group under the family Apiaceae. The genomes provide insights into how ''C. asiatica'' produces secondary metabolites with alleged functions in traditional medicine.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Song |first1=Wan-ling |last2=Chen |first2=Bao-zheng |last3=Feng |first3=Lei |last4=Chen |first4=Geng |last5=He |first5=Si-mei |last6=Hao |first6=Bing |last7=Zhang |first7=Guang-hui |last8=Dong |first8=Yang |last9=Yang |first9=Sheng-chao |title=Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly and 3D chromatin architecture of Centella asiatica insight into evolution and genetic basis of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis |journal=Horticulture Research |date=3 April 2025 |volume=12 |issue=5 |doi=10.1093/hr/uhaf037}}</ref>

== Uses ==

=== Culinary === In Burmese cuisine, raw pennywort is used as the main constituent in a salad mixed with onions, crushed peanuts, bean powder and seasoned with lime juice and fish sauce.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A selection of classic Burmese dishes|url=https://www.travelfish.org/beginners_detail/burma_myanmar/33|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Travelfish|language=en}}</ref> Centella is used as a leafy green in Sri Lankan cuisine, being the predominantly locally available leafy green, where it is called {{Transliteration|si|gotu kola}} or {{Transliteration|ta|vallaarai}}. It is most often prepared as {{Transliteration|si|malluma}}, a traditional accompaniment to rice and vegetarian dishes, such as lentils, and jackfruit or pumpkin curry. It is considered nutritious. In addition to finely chopped {{Transliteration|si|gotu kola}} plants, the {{Transliteration|si|gotu kola malluma}} may be eaten with grated coconut, diced shallots, lime (or lemon) juice, and sea salt. Additional ingredients are finely chopped green chilis, chili powder, turmeric powder, or chopped carrots. The ''Centella'' fruit-bearing structures are discarded from the {{Transliteration|si|gotu kola malluma}} due to their intense bitter taste. A variation of porridge known as kola kanda is also made with {{Transliteration|si|gotu kola}} in Sri Lanka. {{Transliteration|si|Gotu kola kanda}} or {{Transliteration|ta|Vallaarai kanji}} is made with well-boiled red rice with some extra liquid, coconut milk first extract, and {{Transliteration|si|gotu kola}} purée. The porridge is accompanied with jaggery for sweetness. ''Centella'' leaves are also used in modern sweet pennywort drinks and herbal teas. In addition the leaves are served stir-fried whole in coconut oil, or cooked in coconut milk with garlic or {{Transliteration|hi|dhal}}. thumb|''Bai bua bok'' as a beverage, Thailand

In Indonesia, the leaves are used for ''sambai oi peuga-ga'', an Aceh type of salad, and is also mixed into asinan in Bogor. In Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, this leaf is used for preparing a drink or can be eaten in raw form in salads or cold rolls. In Bangkok, vendors in the Chatuchak Weekend Market sell it alongside coconut, roselle, chrysanthemum, orange and other health drinks. In Malay cuisine it is known as pegaga, and the leaves of this plant are used for ulam, a type of vegetable salad.<ref name=cabi/> ''C. asiatica'' is widely used in various Indian regional cuisines. In Bangladesh and India (specifically in West Bengal), Centella is called Thankuni Pata and used in various dishes, one of the most appetising of which is the pakora-like snack called Thankuni Patar Bora; made of mashed ''Centella'', lentils, julienned onion and green chilli.

===Traditional medicine=== In traditional medicine, ''C. asiatica'' has been used with the intent to treat various disorders, dermatological conditions,<ref name="pmid24399761">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bylka W, Znajdek-Awiżeń P, Brzezińska M | title=Centella asiatica in dermatology: an overview | journal= Phytotherapy Research| volume=28 | issue=8 | pages=1117–1124 | year=2014 | doi= 10.1002/ptr.5110 | pmid=24399761}}</ref> and minor wounds,<ref name=cabi/> although clinical efficacy and safety have not been proven in clinical research.<ref name="drugs">{{cite web|title=Gotu kola|url=https://www.drugs.com/npp/gotu-kola.html|publisher=Drugs.com|access-date=21 September 2023|date=23 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Sun |first1=Boju |last2=Wu |first2=Lili |last3=Wu |first3=You |last4=Zhang |first4=Chengfei |last5=Qin |first5=Lingling |last6=Hayashi |first6=Misa |last7=Kudo |first7=Maya |last8=Gao |first8=Ming |last9=Liu |first9=Tonghua |date=2020-09-04 |title=Therapeutic Potential of ''Centella asiatica'' and Its Triterpenes: A Review |journal=Frontiers in Pharmacology |language=en |volume=11 |doi=10.3389/fphar.2020.568032 |doi-access=free |pmid=33013406 |pmc=7498642 |issn=1663-9812 }}</ref>

Contact dermatitis and skin irritation can result from topical application.<ref name="drugs" /> Drowsiness may occur after consuming it.<ref name="drugs" />

=== Agricultural use === In the context of phytoremediation, ''C. asiatica'' is a potential phytoextraction tool owing to its ability to take up and translocate metals from root to shoot when grown in soils contaminated by heavy metals.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abd. Manan |first1=Fazilah |last2=Chai |first2=Tsun-Thai |last3=Abd. Samad |first3=Azman |last4=Mamat |first4=Dayangku Dalilah |title=Evaluation of the Phytoremediation Potential of Two Medicinal Plants |journal=Sains Malaysiana |date=1 April 2015 |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=503–509 |doi=10.17576/jsm-2015-4404-04 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Adverse effects== Reviews in 2024 indicated that consuming foods or dietary supplements containing ''C. asiatica'' may cause adverse effects, including contact dermatitis, jaundice and liver disease.<ref name=drugs/><ref name="livertox">{{cite web |title=''Centella asiatica'' |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603561/ |publisher=LiverTox, US National Library of Medicine |access-date=6 April 2026 |date=24 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=hepa>{{cite journal |vauthors=Philips CA, Theruvath AH |title=A comprehensive review on the hepatotoxicity of herbs used in the Indian (Ayush) systems of alternative medicine |journal=Medicine (Baltimore) |volume=103 |issue=16 |article-number=e37903 |date=April 2024 |pmid=38640296 |pmc=11029936 |doi=10.1097/MD.0000000000037903}}</ref> There have been case reports of liver disease associated with use over multiple weeks.<ref name=drugs/><ref name=livertox/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jorge |first1=O. A. |last2=Jorge |first2=A. D. |date=February 2005 |title=Hepatotoxicity associated with the ingestion of ''Centella asiatica'' |journal=Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas |volume=97 |issue=2 |pages=115–124 |doi=10.4321/s1130-01082005000200006 |issn=1130-0108 |pmid=15801887|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery> File:Centella asiatica - Flickr - Kevin Thiele.jpg|Emerging flowers File:Centella asiatica - Flickr - Kevin Thiele (1).jpg|Close-up of flower File:Centella asiatica in Karnataka.jpg|''Centella asiatica'', India File:A patch of Centella Asiatica or pegaga in Malay..jpg|A patch of ''Centella asiatica'' or pegaga in Malay </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Centella asiatica}} * {{PFAF|Centella asiatica}}

{{Edible Apiaceae}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q324714}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Mackinlayoideae Category:Edible Apiaceae Category:Dietary supplements Category:Flora of temperate Asia Category:Flora of tropical Asia Category:Plants used in traditional African medicine Category:Plants used in traditional Chinese medicine Category:Plants described in 1753 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus