Functional components and physiological activity in different parts of Centella asiatica

Abstract

We investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the leaf, stem, and flower of Centella asiatica (CA). CA is widely used in the medical and cosmetic industries. The leaf contained the highest total polyphenol content (236.88 mg%) and antioxidant activity when compared to the stem and flower. The total triterpenoid content was 60.65 mg/g, 54.20 mg/g, and 12.50 mg/g (leaf, flower, and stem, respectively), indicating the triterpenoids in the stem were approximately 4 to 5 times lower than the CA leaf or flower. The cell viability evaluation using RAW 264.7 and HaCaT cells revealed no significant levels of cytotoxicity (≤ 100 μg/mL). The anti-inflammatory activity assessed using RAW 264.7 cells revealed the flower had higher activity than the leaf and stem, with NO (88.3 % - inhibitory rate), TNF-α (64.8 %), IL-6 (65.7 %), and MCP-1 (28.9 %) inhibitory activity. An analysis of the inflammatory inhibition activity on the skin using HaCaT cells revealed the flower possessed a potent activity level of IL-6 (72.0 %) and IL-8 (89.4 %) inhibition. Finally, the flower and leaf had potent physiological effects and functional components. We expect that the leaf and flowers can be used as functional materials, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.