Centevita® (Centella asiatica Extract — Indena)

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

Centevita® is a standardized Centella asiatica (gotu kola) leaf extract from Indena. Centella has a long traditional history of use for circulation and connective tissue, and Centevita is a well characterized extract standardized to at least 45 percent triterpenes. Note that the published work on Centevita itself is a chemical analysis of the extract plus skin testing of a cream applied to the skin; swallowed Centevita has not been tested in people.

Studied Dose Not established for Centevita: no oral dose has been published and Indena lists none. The 60 to 120 mg per day figure often quoted for Centella comes from trials of a different, far more concentrated purified triterpene fraction, so it does not transfer to this extract.
Active Compound Centella asiatica leaf extract standardized to at least 45 percent of the sum of asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid by HPLC. Polyphenols are also present and have been quantified, but they are not part of the standardization.

Benefits

Microcirculation and veins

Centella asiatica is traditionally used to support microcirculation and the tone of veins, relevant to leg heaviness and a feeling of comfort in the legs. The circulation trials people cite for Centella used a purified triterpene fraction sold as a medicine in Europe, not Centevita, and Centevita itself has not been tested for this.

Connective tissue and skin

Centella triterpenes increase collagen production in laboratory tests, which is the basis for the plant's long use in skin care. Be aware that almost all of that work, including the only skin study on Centevita itself, used the extract applied to the skin rather than swallowed, so it does not show what a capsule does.

Traditional use for mental clarity

Centella has a long traditional history of use for mental clarity and a calm, focused state. Modern testing has not borne this out: a 2017 pooled analysis of eleven randomized trials of Centella taken by mouth, alone or inside combination products, found no difference from placebo in any cognitive domain, with only small short term changes in self rated alertness and anger. Centevita has not been tested for cognition at all.

Mechanism of action

1

Triterpene collagen support

Asiaticoside and madecassoside increase collagen synthesis in cell and tissue experiments, which is the proposed reason for Centella's connective tissue and blood vessel effects. This is laboratory work, not an outcome measured in people taking Centevita.

2

Antioxidant protection

Centella polyphenols have antioxidant activity in laboratory assays. Antioxidant activity is the main function Indena itself claims for Centevita; effects on blood vessels or the brain in people have not been shown for this extract.

Clinical trials

1
Centevita Laboratory Analysis, Not a Clinical Trial
PubMed

Phytochemical characterization of the standardized Centella asiatica extract Centevita. (Masi et al. 2022, Fitoterapia)

Laboratory characterization.

The study defined the triterpene and polyphenol profile of the standardized extract, quantifying 24 compounds, confirming that triterpenoids make up roughly 45 percent of the extract by weight, and describing a new saponin the authors named isoterminoloside. It measured no biological or health outcome of any kind: no cells, no animals, no people. There is no published trial of swallowed Centevita. Two of the five authors work for Indena, which sells the extract.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Usually well tolerated at normal doses, though long term oral use has not been well studied.
Mild digestive upset or drowsiness is sometimes reported. Rare cases of liver injury with jaundice have been published after weeks of taking Centella by mouth; stop and see a doctor if you notice yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or unexplained tiredness.
Avoid in pregnancy due to limited data.

Important Drug interactions

Sedatives — possible additive calming effect.
Diabetes or cholesterol drugs — monitor, as Centella may affect these.
Liver affecting drugs: use caution with prolonged use, given the rare liver injury reports with oral Centella.

Frequently asked questions about Centevita® (Centella asiatica Extract — Indena)

What is Centevita?

Centevita® is a standardized Centella asiatica (gotu kola) leaf extract from Indena. Centella has a long traditional history of use for circulation and connective tissue, and Centevita is a well characterized extract standardized to at least 45 percent triterpenes.

What is Centevita used for?

Centevita is researched primarily for Hair, Skin & Nails. Centella asiatica is traditionally used to support microcirculation and the tone of veins, relevant to leg heaviness and a feeling of comfort in the legs.

What is the recommended dosage of Centevita?

The clinically studied dose is Not established for Centevita: no oral dose has been published and Indena lists none. The 60 to 120 mg per day figure often quoted for Centella comes from trials of a different, far more concentrated purified triterpene fraction, so it does not transfer to thi… Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Centevita safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Centevita is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Usually well tolerated at normal doses, though long term oral use has not been well studied. Mild digestive upset or drowsiness is sometimes reported. It may also interact with some medications. Centevita 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 Centevita interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Sedatives — possible additive calming effect. Diabetes or cholesterol drugs — monitor, as Centella may affect these. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Centevita?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Centevita as Preliminary (1 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. Masi F, Chianese G, Peterlongo F, Riva A, Taglialatela-Scafati O Phytochemical profile of Centevita, a Centella asiatica leaves extract, and isolation of a new oleanane-type saponin. Fitoterapia. 2022;158:105163..PubMedUsed to support: A laboratory analysis only. It identified and quantified 24 compounds in Centevita and confirmed the triterpenoid fraction is about 45 percent of the extract by weight. It measured no health outcome, so it cannot support any benefit claim. Two authors are employed by Indena, the company that sells Centevita.