Irvine3 Labs, Department of Biomedical Sciences Chieti - Pescara University, Pescara, Italy.
Panminerva Med. 2011 Sep;53(3 Suppl 1):105-18.
Plant-derived elements used for pharmacological applications constitute an increasing research field. Centella asiatica is widely used mainly as an extract (TECA). Triterpenic fractions, the primary constituents of Centella asiatica, produce a wide range of preventive and therapeutic effects. The modulation of collagen production and deposition in wound healing is of primary importance. TECA is also used to treat several microcirculatory problems, inflammatory skin conditions (leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis) and also intestinal problems, fever, amenorrhea and genitourinary conditions. Cognitive functions, anxiety and mental impairment may be also affected by TECA administration. New applications in neurology include nerve growth factor enhancement and applications in neurological degenerative conditions. Interaction with other products is also indicated in this document. The multiplicity of actions of TECA is associated to six important mechanisms, all inter-connected and modulating each other: 1) edema - and capillary filtration - control; 2) a strong antioxidant power, effective on several forms of oxidative stress associated to inflammation or infections and synergic with other antioxidant products; 3) an anti-inflammatory action; 4) a modulation of the collagen production avoiding slower scarring or faster, hyperthrophic scarring and cheloids; 5) a modulating action of local growth factors; 6) a modulation of angiogenesis. This "status" paper - resulting from an expert meeting held in Cobham, Surrey, indicates most of the therapeutic potential of TECA, still to be explored in further studies. The status paper constitutes the basis for a consensus document on TECA to be developed in the next future. This "status" paper opens a new window on an ancient but still partially unexplored product that may become an important value in prevention and treatment of several pre-clinical and risk conditions and in clinically significant disease both as a single products and in association with other 'natural' products.
植物来源的元素在药理学应用中构成了一个不断增长的研究领域。积雪草被广泛应用，主要是作为提取物（TECA）。三萜类化合物是积雪草的主要成分，具有广泛的预防和治疗作用。调节伤口愈合过程中的胶原蛋白产生和沉积至关重要。TECA 还用于治疗几种微循环问题、炎症性皮肤病（麻风、狼疮、静脉曲张性溃疡、湿疹、特应性皮炎、银屑病）以及肠道问题、发热、闭经和生殖泌尿系统疾病。TECA 给药还可能影响认知功能、焦虑和精神障碍。在神经病学中的新应用包括神经生长因子增强和在神经退行性疾病中的应用。本文还指出了与其他产品的相互作用。TECA 的多种作用与六个重要机制相关，这些机制相互关联并相互调节：1）水肿和毛细血管滤过控制；2）强大的抗氧化能力，对与炎症或感染相关的几种形式的氧化应激有效，并与其他抗氧化产品协同作用；3）抗炎作用；4）调节胶原蛋白产生，避免较慢的瘢痕形成或更快、增生性瘢痕和瘢痕疙瘩；5）局部生长因子的调节作用；6）血管生成的调节作用。这份“现状”文件——源自在萨里郡科巴姆举行的专家会议——表明了 TECA 的大部分治疗潜力，这仍有待进一步研究探索。本现状文件为未来制定 TECA 共识文件奠定了基础。这份“现状”文件为一种古老但仍部分未被探索的产品开辟了新的视野，它可能成为预防和治疗多种临床前和风险条件以及临床相关疾病的重要价值，无论是作为单一产品还是与其他“天然”产品联合使用。
