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Cen5.0
Centella Asiatica (Cica) Research
Mostly mechanism / observationalHigh safety
7 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Centella Asiatica (Cica) studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from mixed-quality randomised trials published 1996–2026 with a typical study size of 20 participants.
Based on 7 studies · 2 RCTs · 81 total participants
Confidence
Low
By outcome
Skin healthSoothes, calms redness, and supports the barrier — the best-evidenced use (cosmetic, not a health outcome) · 2-12 weeks · Possible improvement in wrinkles/firmness from collagen stimulation, shown in one small combination trial (cosmetic) · 12-24 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Wound & ulcer healing
Too few graded studies2 studies
Energy & fatigue
Too few graded studies1 study
Women's health
Too few graded studies1 study
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study
Longevity & aging
Too few graded studies1 study
Active research area
3 studies in the last 5 years
199620112026
1RCTn=20 · very small study2008
After 6 months of treatment, we observed a significant improvement of the clinical score for deep and superficial wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness and skin hydration.
Haftek M, Mac-Mary S, Le Bitoux MA, Creidi P, et al. · Exp Dermatol (2008)
Randomized double-blind study (n=20) of topical 5% vitamin C + 0.1% madecassoside on photoaged skin over 6 months
Significant improvement in deep/superficial wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and hydration, with histologic elastic-fibre remodeling
Madecassoside was co-formulated with vitamin C and n was small — its independent effect is not isolated
There were no clinically significant differences in time to lesion healing, erythema, or oozing/crusting between groups. On day 21, 100% of patients agreed that their lesions had improved.
Lynde CW, Andriessen A, Guenther L, Dayeh N, et al. · J Drugs Dermatol (2025)
RCT (n=60) after cryotherapy for actinic keratoses: a non-prescription balm with panthenol, madecassoside, and metal salts vs a topical antibiotic
Madecassoside-containing balm gave wound healing equivalent to the antibiotic, with 100% reporting improvement by day 21 and no related adverse events
Non-inferiority design and a multi-ingredient balm — supports soothing/healing, but not centella in isolation
C. asiatica might enhance wound healing resulting from improved angiogenesis. This might occur due to its stimulating effect on collagen I, Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) production.
Arribas-López E, Zand N, Ojo O, Snowden MJ, et al. · Int J Environ Res Public Health (2022)
PRISMA systematic review identified only four clinical trials meeting inclusion criteria — a small human evidence base
Centella may enhance wound healing via improved angiogenesis and collagen I/FGF/VEGF stimulation, with anti-inflammatory effects
Authors state more studies are needed to perform a meta-analysis and ascertain effects
Preclinical evidence further indicates attenuation of cellular senescence, improvement of mitochondrial function, enhanced collagen synthesis, and regulation of cytokine production. However, clinical translation remains limited due to insufficient randomized controlled trials.
Borowicz KK. · Nutrients (2026)
Review of centella triterpenes' antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative activity (NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Nrf2/HO-1, TGF-β/Smad signaling)
Preclinical evidence indicates enhanced collagen synthesis and attenuated cellular senescence relevant to skin aging
Explicitly notes clinical translation is limited by insufficient RCTs and variable extract standardization
Low dose of TECA did not exhibit toxicity and showed a protective effect against UVB irradiation in NDHFs.
An IS, An S, Kang SM, Choe TB, et al. · Int J Mol Med (2012)
In cultured human dermal fibroblasts, titrated centella extract (asiatic/madecassic acid, asiaticoside, madecassoside) protected against UVB damage at non-toxic doses
Altered microRNA profiles linked to cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis, suggesting a photoprotective mechanism
In-vitro only — establishes plausible mechanism, not a clinical effect