A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects

Investigations of the pharmacologic profile of medicinal plants have reveal ed that a number of plants with purported anxiolytic activity bind to chole cystokinin (CCK) receptors. This finding is intriguing in view of the propo sed involvement of CCK in the pathophysiology of fear and anxiety. This dou ble-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the anxiolyt ic activity of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) in healthy subjects. Gotu Kola has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Recent studies in the rat have shown that long-term pretreatment with Gotu Kola decreases locomotor a ctivity, enhances elevated-plus maze performance, and attenuates the acoust ic startle response (ASR). In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of Gotu Kola on the ASR in humans. Subjects were randomly assigned to rece ive either a single 12-g orally administered dose of Gotu Kola (N = 20) or placebo (N = 20). The results revealed that compared with placebo, Gotu Kol a significantly attenuated the peak ASR amplitude 30 and 60 minutes after t reatment. Gotu Kola had no significant effect on self-rated mood, heart rat e, or blood pressure. These preliminary findings suggest that Gotu Kola has anxiolytic activity in humans as revealed by the ASR. It remains to be see n whether this herb has therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of anxiety sy ndromes.