Posted by djmmm on February 3, 2007, at 18:56:52
In reply to Gotu Kola - MAOI?, posted by linkadge on February 3, 2007, at 17:18:17
> Has anyone come across any research suggesting that Gotu-Kola is an MAOI? It feels like it could be one.
>
> LinkadgePerhaps...gotu kola contains triterpene glycosides, which have some effect on serotonin and dopamine, and saponin glycosides, which I'm certain have an effect on dopamine (post synaptic) because of many studies involving saponin and ginseng. It also contains madecassoside, which influences serotonin (try a google search for this one). There is also some research showing that GABA is involved (Chatterjee TK et al.
Effects of plant extract Centella asiatica on cold resistant stress ulcer in rats.
Indian J Exp Biol 1992;30:889-891. )I'm not sure if any of Gotu Kola's active components involve MAO. Since Ginseng contains the same glycosides, you may want ot research the effects of ginseng on monoamines (several published studies)
1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=1674972&dopt=Abstract
**Some other info to support Gotu Kola and antianxiety:
2)Diwan PV et al.
Anti-anxiety profile of Manduk Parni (Centella asiatica) in animals.
Fitoterapia 1991; 62(3):253-257."An evaluation of the influence on the CNS of an aqueous extract of C. asiatica has been conducted in mice. Administered intraperitoneally, the extract decreased spontaneous motor activity and delayed pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions to a degree comparable with diazepam. It also potentiated pentabarbitone-induced sleep but did not affect immobility time in swimming tests"
3) Sarma DNK et al.
Antistress activity of Tinospora cordifolia and Centella asiatica extracts.
Phytother Res 1996; 10:181-183.An ethanolic extract of C. asiatica was found to exhibit significant anti-stress activity in a variety of stress tests on rats, again using diazepam as a control. Antidepressant activity was also indicated, and an analgesic effect demonstrated along with a reduction in the adrenocortical response.
4) Diwan PV et al.
Anti-anxiety profile of Manduk Parni (Centella asiatica) in animals.
Fitoterapia 1991; 62(3):253-257Studies with a hydroalcoholic extract of C. asiatica leaves have confirmed the plants anxiolytic/sedative influence, potentiating in rats, the hypnotic effect of phenobarbitone as well as anticonvulstant acitivity against PTZ as previously observed for the aqueous extract in mice.
poster:djmmm
thread:729413
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20070201/msgs/729437.html