Is Centella Asiatica good for your skin?
What Is Centella Asiatica Extract?
Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu Kola, Copper Coin Grass, and Horseshoe Grass, is the whole herb of the Umbelliferae plant Centella asiatica. Centella asiatica is native to India and is now widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In my country, it is mainly distributed in provinces south of the Yangtze River.
Centella asiatica extract is a compound extracted from Centella asiatica, containing a large number of triterpenoid compounds, such as asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassoside, etc. The main component is asiaticoside, which is a fine powder from brown to white and tastes slightly bitter.(Note: Specifications of Centella asiatica standard extract: 29%-30% asiatic acid, 40% asiaticoside, 29%-30% madecassoside, 1%-2% madecassoside.)
The active ingredients of Centella asiatica can stimulate the production of type I and type III collagen, reduce skin hardness, improve skin nutrition, and promote skin metabolism. Centella asiatica and madecassic acid have powerful tyrosinase inhibition, melanin reduction, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, and can effectively stimulate skin collagen synthesis and extension. Centella asiatica glycoside and madecassic acid glycoside are natural plant active ingredients with anti-inflammatory characteristics. As an "all-round player", Centella asiatica extract can be used in scar repair, acne anti-allergy and whitening antioxidant cosmetics and hair growth shampoo.
The biological activity exhibited by Centella asiatica extract is most importantly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-cancer activity. In dermatology, Centella asiatica extract is used to treat minor wounds, hypertrophic scars, burns, psoriasis, etc. Centella asiatica extract can stimulate fibroblast proliferation and activate the SMAD signaling pathway, thereby increasing the production of type I collagen and reducing the formation of stretch marks and inflammatory reactions.
What Are The Functions Of Centella Asiatica Extract?
1.Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
Centella asiatica extract contains madecasic acid and madecasic acid. These active saponins will acidify the cytoplasm in plant cells and produce antibacterial activity to protect the plant itself from attacks by molds and yeasts.
Centella asiatica extract has a certain inhibitory effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, acne bacteria, etc. There are also reports among the people that clean fresh Centella asiatica can be mashed and applied to the affected area to treat boils. Centella asiatica extract is also commonly used to treat acne and acne-prone skin.
The terpenoids in Centella asiatica extract can significantly increase the content of collagen and cell layer fibronectin (fibronectin is widely involved in cell migration, adhesion, proliferation, hemostasis and skin tissue repair, etc.), and can stimulate The production of type I collagen in mature scars reduces the generation of inflammatory responses. In addition, Centella asiatica extract can also reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1, MMP-1), improve and repair the skin's own barrier function, thereby preventing and correcting skin immune dysfunction, so using Centella asiatica extract Its anti-inflammatory activity can also be used in post-sun repair, anti-allergic and soothing cosmetics.
2.Moisturizing
Centella asiatica extract can promote the synthesis of collagen I and III, and can also promote the secretion of mucopolysaccharides (such as the synthesis of hyaluronic acid), increase the water retention of the skin, activate and renew skin cells, soothe, firm and restore the skin. Full of luster.
Centella asiatica extract can significantly increase the hydration level of the stratum corneum, which is mainly related to the triterpene saponin compounds in Centella asiatica extract. Centella asiatica triterpene saponin is a hydrophilic sugar chain, mainly glucose and Rhamnose can combine with water in the occlusive layer to improve the epidermal barrier and enhance skin moisture. Therefore, Centella asiatica extract can be used in moisturizing cosmetic formulations as a supplement to treat dry, sensitive skin.
3.Repair scars
Centella asiatica extract also has the activation effect of fibroblast genes, which can enhance the vitality of skin basal layer cells, maintain skin elasticity and firmness, and smooth fine wrinkles on the face. Because Asiaticoside has important functions such as promoting collagen synthesis and new blood vessel formation in the body, stimulating granulation growth, etc., it is beneficial to wound healing and scar repair, and can also prevent stretch marks produced during pregnancy.
4.Antioxidant
Centella asiatica extract also has a good antioxidant effect, which can inhibit free radical activity, dilute melanin, improve skin blood circulation, renew skin cell regeneration, and help to refine and brighten the skin.
What Is The Extraction method Of Centella Asiatica Extract?
1.Extraction and separation test of total glycosides of Centella asiatica
Centella asiatica (whole herb) was extracted with 75% ethanol, the extract was filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure until there was no alcohol taste, and chlorophyll was removed by extraction with a little petroleum ether. The concentrate was passed through a macroporous resin, first washed with a small amount of water, and then eluted with 50% ethanol. The eluate was concentrated and vacuum dried. The dried product was dissolved with a little distilled water, and the pH was adjusted to 3 to 4 with concentrated hydrochloric acid to precipitate some weak acidic substances. Chloroform was added for extraction to remove fat-soluble impurities, and concentrated ammonia was added to adjust the pH to 6 to 7, and then extracted three times with water-saturated n-butanol. The extract was recovered by chemicalbook under reduced pressure until it was nearly dry, and then a small amount of 95% alcohol was added to dissolve it, and the refined product was obtained by low-temperature vacuum drying. The content was determined to be above 93% by the residual iodine method.
2.Production process of Centella asiatica extract (9%)
The medicinal material is crushed into coarse powder, extracted with 70% alcohol by reflux, and the extract is separated. The extract is decompressed to recover ethanol until it is exhausted, and the concentrate is centrifuged. The centrifuged liquid is decompressed and concentrated to 12-15 Baume (thermal meASUrement), and spray-dried to obtain the finished Centella asiatica extract. The total triterpene compounds in the Centella asiatica extract produced by this process are 9%-10%, and the yield is about 20%.