Biotechnological Intervention and Secondary Metabolite Production in Centella asiatica L.

Abstract

Centella asiatica L., commonly known as Gotu kola, Indian pennywort, and Asiatic pennyworts, is an herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the family Apiaceae and has long been used in the traditional medicine system. The plant is known to produce a wide range of active metabolites such as triterpenoids including asiatic acid, asiaticoside, brahmoside, and madecassic acid along with other constituents including centellose, centelloside, and madecassoside, etc., which show immense pharmacological activity. Due to its beneficial role in neuroprotection activity, the plant has been considered as a brain tonic. However, limited cultivation, poor seed viability with low germination rate, and overexploitation for decades have led to severe depletion and threatened its wild stocks. The present review aimed to provide up-to-date information on biotechnological tools applied to this endangered medicinal plant for its in vitro propagation, direct or indirect regeneration, synthetic seed production, strategies for secondary metabolite productions including different elicitors. In addition, a proposed mechanism for the biosynthesis of triterpenoids is also discussed.

The Influence of Plant Growth Regulators on Callus Induction in Mature Rice Embryos (Oryza Sativa L) Amber Variety

“…L. [23], suggested that MS media augmented through 3.0 mg/l of 2,4-D led to better callus development and higher numbers for most genotypes they researched. Researchers suggested that 2, 4-D augmentation without other agents was more efficacious toward embryogenic callus development [24]. The observations align with [25]; however, they contradicted some research works that suggested that a kinetin-2,4-D combination better facilitated embryogenic callus development [26].…”

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. and its application in cosmetology

“…For thousands of years, all parts of this plant have been used as a remedy for a variety of diseases -including hypertension, tuberculosis, measles, leprosy, asthma, rheumatism, peptic ulcer disease, skin diseases or depression. It is attributed with properties of general strengthening of the body, rejuvenating, improving memory or prolonging life [4,5,7,9,11,[13][14][15].…”

“…In some countries, C. asiatica is used as a raw vegetable and also in the preparation of soups or traditional dishes such as Indian chutney or Malaysian ulam salad. In China and Thailand, asiatic pennywort is used to prepare a cooling thirstquenching drink, and in Malaysia it is used to brew tea with anti-diarrhoeal properties and to help urinary tract infections [5,7,14]. In India, a powder made from the leaves of Centella asiatica is consumed to revitalise nerves and brain cells.…”

“…In India, a powder made from the leaves of Centella asiatica is consumed to revitalise nerves and brain cells. Fresh leaves, in turn, are used to make a paste that is applied to ulcers and a syrup that, when spread on the forehead, relieves headaches [14].…”

“…Centella asiatica is a species commonly found in Asian areas and is an important part of Indian ayurveda. All parts of the plant exhibit multidirectional therapeutic effects, however, its leaves are the most popular due to their richness in characteristic active substances such as asiaticoside, madecasoside and phenolic compounds [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The range of beneficial properties guarantees the popularity of Centella asiatica and its use in fields of medicine, pharmacy and cosmetology.…”