Gotu Kola for Age-Related Cognitive Decline
D Early Research Only preliminary research exists (lab studies, case reports).A traditional Ayurvedic brain tonic with emerging evidence for neuroprotective effects. Triterpene saponins promote nerve growth and dendritic arborization, but clinical evidence remains limited.
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D
The Bottom Line
A traditional Ayurvedic brain tonic with emerging evidence for neuroprotective effects. Triterpene saponins promote nerve growth and dendritic arborization, but clinical evidence remains limited.
Key Study Findings
Systematic Review
Cholinesterase Inhibitors from Plants and Their Potential in Alzheimer's Treatment: Systematic Review.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Cholinesterase inhibition and cognitive improvement
Effect: None
None
Population: In vivo animal models of AD
Controlled Clinical Trial
Centella asiatica improves sleep quality and quantity in aged mice.
Dose: 1000 mg/kg/day
vs: Control chow
Outcome: Sleep quality and quantity (EEG/EMG)
Effect: None
None
Population: 18-month-old male and female C57BL6/J mice
In Vitro
In Vitro Neuroprotective Effects of a Mixed Extract of Bilberry, Centella asiatica, Hericium erinaceus, and …
Dose: None
vs: H2O2-induced oxidative stress
Outcome: Neuroprotection and cognitive decline biomarkers
Effect: BDNF ~2.3-fold, NGF ~1.9-fold vs H2O2
None
Population: 3D intestinal model and neuronal/astrocytic co-culture
Other
Centella asiatica improves sleep quality and quantity in aged mice.
Dose: 1000 mg/kg/day
vs: Control chow
Outcome: Sleep composition (REM/NREM duration, arousals)
Effect: None
None
Population: Aged (18-month) C57BL6/J mice
Review
Interlinking diabetes and Alzheimer's disease: A pathway through medicinal plant-based treatments.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: DM and AD symptom management
Effect: None
None
Population: Patients with diabetes and Alzheimer's disease (review)
Other
Computer-aided discovery of dual-target compounds for Alzheimer's from ayurvedic medicinal plants.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: AChE and BACE1 inhibition for Alzheimer's
Effect: None
None
Population: In silico AD drug discovery (820 metabolites screened)
Key Statistics
4
Studies
200
Participants
↑
Positive
D
Grade
Referenced Papers
Brain sciences
2025
14 citations
Interlinking diabetes and Alzheimer's disease: A pathway through medicinal plant-based treatments.
Review
Journal of ethnopharmacology
2025
6 citations
Computer-aided discovery of dual-target compounds for Alzheimer's from ayurvedic medicinal plants.
Other
PloS one
2025
3 citations
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
2025
3 citations
Computers in biology …
2025
2 citations
bioRxiv : the …
2025
1 citations
Sleep advances : …
2025
Frontiers in aging
2024
11 citations
Journal of ethnopharmacology
2024
4 citations
Food science & …
2024
3 citations
Journal of Alzheimer's …
2024
3 citations
Journal of Alzheimer's …
2024
2 citations
bioRxiv : the …
2024
Tzu chi medical …
2023
6 citations
Journal of pharmacological …
2022
18 citations
Biomolecules
2021
161 citations
Neurobiology of aging
2021
29 citations
Frontiers in nutrition
2021
13 citations
Nutrients
2020
55 citations
Centella asiatica Water Extract Shows Low Potential for Cytochrome P450-Mediated Drug Interactions.
Other
Drug metabolism and …
2020
CNS drugs
2013
138 citations
Phytotherapy research : …
2007
256 citations
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Commonly Used Dosages
- general:
- 500-1,000 mg/day standardized extract
- cognitivesupport:
- 750 mg/day
Upper limit: Not established; hepatotoxicity reported rarely at very high doses
Dosages Studied in Research
| Dosage | Duration | Effect | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| 1000 mg/kg/day | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| 1000 mg/kg/day | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| 1 μg/mL | -- | Positive | -- |
Best taken: With meals
Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- ⚠ Skin irritation (topical)
- ⚠ Headache
- ⚠ Gastrointestinal discomfort
- ⚠ Drowsiness
- ⚠ Rare: liver toxicity at very high doses
Known Interactions
- ● Hepatotoxic drugs (additive liver stress)
- ● Sedative medications (additive CNS depression)
- ● Cholesterol-lowering drugs (theoretical interaction)
Tolerable upper intake: Not established; hepatotoxicity reported rarely at very high doses
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gotu Kola help with Age-Related Cognitive Decline?
Based on 4 studies with 200 participants, there is preliminary evidence that needs more research that Gotu Kola may support Age-Related Cognitive Decline management. Our evidence grade is D (Very Early Research).
How much Gotu Kola should I take for Age-Related Cognitive Decline?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 500-1,000 mg/day standardized extract. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of Gotu Kola?
Reported side effects may include Skin irritation (topical), Headache, Gastrointestinal discomfort, Drowsiness. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for Gotu Kola and Age-Related Cognitive Decline?
We rate the evidence as Grade D (Very Early Research). This rating is based on 4 peer-reviewed studies with 200 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Age-Related Cognitive Decline
References
- [1] Maryam N ALNasser et al.. Brain Sci. 2025. Cholinesterase Inhibitors from Plants and Their Potential in Alzheimer's Treatment: Systematic Review. doi:10.3390/brainsci15020215 PubMed
- [2] Sandesh Kumar Pattanaik et al.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2025. Interlinking diabetes and Alzheimer's disease: A pathway through medicinal plant-based treatments. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120092 PubMed
- [3] Mohibullah Shah et al.. PLoS One. 2025. Computer-aided discovery of dual-target compounds for Alzheimer's from ayurvedic medicinal plants. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0325441 PubMed
- [4] Rebecca Galla et al.. Foods. 2025. In Vitro Neuroprotective Effects of a Mixed Extract of Bilberry, Centella asiatica, Hericium erinaceus, and Palmitoylethanolamide. doi:10.3390/foods14152678 PubMed
- [5] Miski Aghnia Khairinisa et al.. Comput Biol Med. 2025. Bioactive potential of Centella asiatica leaf extract in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition: Insights from multiple ligand mapping. doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2025.110970 PubMed
- [6] Laura Dovek et al.. bioRxiv. 2025. Centella asiatica improves sleep quality and quantity in aged mice. doi:10.1101/2025.02.01.636070 PubMed
- [7] Laura Dovek et al.. Sleep Adv. 2025. Centella asiatica improves sleep quality and quantity in aged mice. doi:10.1093/sleepadvances/zpaf060 PubMed
- [8] Nora E Gray et al.. Front Aging. 2024. Amelioration of age-related cognitive decline and anxiety in mice by Centella asiatica extract varies by sex, dose and mode of … doi:10.3389/fragi.2024.1357922 PubMed
- [9] Zeba Firdaus et al.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024. Centella asiatica improves memory and executive function in middle-aged rats by controlling oxidative stress and cholinergic transmission. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.117888 PubMed
- [10] Shuge Gui et al.. Food Sci Nutr. 2024. A mixture of extracts from natural ingredients reduces the neurotoxic polarization of microglia via modulating NF-κB/NF-E2-related factor 2 activation. doi:10.1002/fsn3.4045 PubMed
- [11] Takaya Suganuma et al.. J Alzheimers Dis. 2024. Caffeoylquinic Acid Mitigates Neuronal Loss and Cognitive Decline in 5XFAD Mice Without Reducing the Amyloid-β Plaque Burden. doi:10.3233/JAD-240033 PubMed
- [12] Donald G Matthews et al.. J Alzheimers Dis Rep. 2024. Centella asiatica improves cognitive function and alters the hippocampal metabolome of aged Tg2576 and wild-type mice. doi:10.1177/25424823241296740 PubMed
- [13] Nora E Gray et al.. bioRxiv. 2024. Amelioration of age-related cognitive decline and anxiety in mice by Centella asiatica extract varies by sex, dose and mode of … doi:10.1101/2024.01.23.576700 PubMed
- [14] Peeraporn Varinthra et al.. Tzu Chi Med J. 2023. Anti-inflammatory and memory-enhancing properties of Chinese herbal extracts: The possible application in Alzheimer's disease. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_139_22 PubMed
- [15] Honoka Fujimori et al.. J Pharmacol Sci. 2022. The protective effect of Centella asiatica and its constituent, araliadiol on neuronal cell damage and cognitive impairment. doi:10.1016/j.jphs.2021.11.001 PubMed
- [16] Julie Gregory et al.. Biomolecules. 2021. Neuroprotective Herbs for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease. doi:10.3390/biom11040543 PubMed
- [17] Jonathan A Zweig et al.. Neurobiol Aging. 2021. Loss of NRF2 accelerates cognitive decline, exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction, and is required for the cognitive enhancing effects of Centella asiatica … doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.11.019 PubMed
- [18] Kirsten M Wright et al.. Front Nutr. 2021. Developing a Rational, Optimized Product of Centella asiatica for Examination in Clinical Trials: Real World Challenges. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.799137 PubMed
- [19] Donald G Matthews et al.. Nutrients. 2020. Caffeoylquinic Acids in Centella asiatica Reverse Cognitive Deficits in Male 5XFAD Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice. doi:10.3390/nu12113488 PubMed
- [20] Kirsten M Wright et al.. Drug Metab Dispos. 2020. Centella asiatica Water Extract Shows Low Potential for Cytochrome P450-Mediated Drug Interactions. doi:10.1124/dmd.120.090860 PubMed
- [21] Jerome Sarris et al.. CNS Drugs. 2013. Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence. doi:10.1007/s40263-013-0059-9 PubMed
- [22] Pulok K Mukherjee et al.. Phytother Res. 2007. Screening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. doi:10.1002/ptr.2224 PubMed
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.