Centellory® (Gotu Kola Extract)

Centella asiatica
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Centellory® is a standardized gotu kola (Centella asiatica) extract developed for memory and mood. Gotu kola has a long history in Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine as a mind tonic. The modern research on this page is a single small trial in 28 healthy older adults, and it tested generic Centella asiatica extract, not the Centellory brand. In that trial, working memory and self-rated mood improved only in the group taking 750 mg a day.

Studied Dose Commonly 250 to 750 mg of standardized extract per day. In the one trial on this page, only the 750 mg daily dose improved memory and mood; the 250 mg and 500 mg doses did not.
Active Compound Standardized Centella asiatica extract concentrated for triterpenes (asiaticoside, madecassoside).

Benefits

Cognition and memory

In one randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 28 healthy older adults over 2 months, working memory improved only in the group taking 750 mg of generic Centella asiatica extract a day. With roughly seven people per dose group this is a very small study, and it was not done on the Centellory brand.

Mood support

In the same 28-person trial, self-rated mood improved, again only in the 750 mg group. Mood was rated by participants themselves, and the result has not been repeated in a larger study.

Circulatory and skin support

Gotu kola is traditionally used for circulation and skin. This is traditional use only. No study cited on this page tested circulation or skin, and the Centellory research does not cover it.

Mechanism of action

1

Triterpene neuroprotection

Gotu kola's asiaticoside and madecassoside have been studied in the laboratory for effects on antioxidant defense and nerve-cell signaling. This is a proposed explanation, not something the human trial cited here measured.

2

Microcirculation support

The same triterpenes have been studied for effects on small blood vessels and collagen. This is a proposed mechanism only and was not tested in the trial cited here.

Clinical trials

1
Gotu Kola and Cognition/Mood — RCT
PubMed

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of generic Centella asiatica extract at 250, 500 or 750 mg a day for 2 months. (Wattanathorn et al. 2008, Journal of Ethnopharmacology)

28 healthy elderly volunteers in total, split across three dose groups and placebo, so roughly seven people per group.

Only the 750 mg group improved: better working memory, a larger N100 brain-wave response and better self-rated mood. The 250 mg and 500 mg doses showed no benefit. The extract was generic Centella asiatica, not Centellory.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated in the small 2-month trial on this page, though 28 people over 2 months is too few to detect uncommon side effects.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
Discontinue if any unusual reaction occurs.

Important Drug interactions

Sedatives — possible additive calming effect; use caution.
Drugs metabolized by the liver — consult a doctor at high doses.
Tell your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions about Centellory® (Gotu Kola Extract)

What is Centellory?

Centellory® is a standardized gotu kola (Centella asiatica) extract developed for memory and mood. Gotu kola has a long history in Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine as a mind tonic.

What is Centellory used for?

Centellory is researched primarily for Cognitive and Mood & Mental Health. In one randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 28 healthy older adults over 2 months, working memory improved only in the group taking 750 mg of generic Centella asiatica extract a day.

What is the recommended dosage of Centellory?

The clinically studied dose is Commonly 250 to 750 mg of standardized extract per day. In the one trial on this page, only the 750 mg daily dose improved memory and mood; the 250 mg and 500 mg doses did not. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Centellory safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Centellory is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated in the small 2-month trial on this page, though 28 people over 2 months is too few to detect uncommon side effects. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. Centellory is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Centellory interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Sedatives — possible additive calming effect; use caution. Drugs metabolized by the liver — consult a doctor at high doses. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Centellory?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Centellory as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S, et al. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;116(2):325-32..PubMedUsed to support: Small trial (n=28) in healthy older adults; memory and mood benefits appeared only at 750 mg a day, using generic Centella asiatica rather than the Centellory brand.