In vitro and in vivo wound healing activity of asiaticoside isolated from Centella asiatica

The activity of asiaticoside, isolated from Centella asiatica, has been stu died in normal as well as delayed-type wound healing. In guinea pig punch w ounds topical applications of 0.2% solution of asiaticoside produced 56% in crease in hydroxyproline, 57% increase in tensile strength, increased colla gen content and better epithelisation. In streptozotocin diabetic rats, whe re healing is delayed, topical application of 0.4% solution of asiaticoside over punch wounds increased hydroxyproline content, tensile strength, coll agen content and epithelisation thereby facilitating the healing. Asiaticos ide was active by the oral route also at 1 mg;kg dose in the guinea pig pun ch wound model. It promoted angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membr ane model at 40 mu g/disk concentration. These results indicate that asiati coside exhibits significant wound healing activity in normal as well as del ayed healing models and is the main active constituent of Centella asiatica . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.