Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Hepatotoxicity -- rare but documented
- Photosensitivity reactions
- Additive sedation with CNS depressants
- Contraindicated in pregnancy at high doses
Contraindications
- Hepatotoxicity -- rare but documented
- Photosensitivity reactions
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Gotu kola contains triterpenoid saponins used for venous insufficiency, wound healing, and cognitive function. Some hepatotoxicity cases reported. May cause photosensitivity. Additive sedation with CNS depressants.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Centella asiatica
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Hepatotoxicity -- rare but documented
- Photosensitivity reactions
- Additive sedation with CNS depressants
- Contraindicated in pregnancy at high doses
The available scientific evidence for Gotu Kola indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 22:38
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAsiatic Acid Ameliorates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats Through Enhancement of TGF-u03b21. ↗Alamoudi AJ et al.. Asiatic Acid Ameliorates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats Through Enhancement of TGF-u03b21.. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2026. PMID:41873212.PMID 41873212 ↗Journal J Biochem Mol ToxicolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41873212/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTherapeutic potential of Asiaticoside in wound healing after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). ↗Li Q et al.. Therapeutic potential of Asiaticoside in wound healing after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).. Pharm Biol. 2026. PMID:41866921.PMID 41866921 ↗Journal Pharm BiolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41866921/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWOptimizing photoperiod for growth and centellosides biosynthesis in Centella asiatica under vertical farming conditions. ↗Yang GS et al.. Optimizing photoperiod for growth and centellosides biosynthesis in Centella asiatica under vertical farming conditions.. Sci Rep. 2026. PMID:41866629.PMID 41866629 ↗Journal Sci RepYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41866629/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAsiaticoside attenuates renal fibrosis by targeting STAT3 to restore Th17/Treg homeostasis. ↗Xie LJ et al.. Asiaticoside attenuates renal fibrosis by targeting STAT3 to restore Th17/Treg homeostasis.. Phytomedicine. 2026. PMID:41865690.PMID 41865690 ↗Journal PhytomedicineYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865690/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAnti-Obesity Activity of Giant Centella asiatica Lava Seawater Extract (GCA-LS-90) Through Regulation of Adipocyte Differentiation and Lipid Metabolism In Vitro. ↗Lee S et al.. Anti-Obesity Activity of Giant Centella asiatica Lava Seawater Extract (GCA-LS-90) Through Regulation of Adipocyte Differentiation and Lipid Metabolism In Vitro.. Int J Mol Sci. 2026. PMID:41828505.PMID 41828505 ↗Journal Int J Mol SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41828505/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWUnderstanding the metabolome of four stress-relieving and cognitive-enhancing medicinal plants: a comprehensive HR-LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. ↗Khan MN et al.. Understanding the metabolome of four stress-relieving and cognitive-enhancing medicinal plants: a comprehensive HR-LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis.. Metabolomics. 2026. PMID:41793600.PMID 41793600 ↗Journal MetabolomicsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41793600/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCentella asiatica, Daucus carota, and Brassica oleracea Extracts Protect Against Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy Through the Activation of the AKT/mTOR Pathway. ↗Jang E et al.. Centella asiatica, Daucus carota, and Brassica oleracea Extracts Protect Against Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy Through the Activation of the AKT/mTOR Pathway.. J Med Food. 2026. PMID:41758244.PMID 41758244 ↗Journal J Med FoodYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41758244/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWReview of neuroprotective potential of natural products against hypoxia-induced neuronal injury. ↗Zhang Y et al.. Review of neuroprotective potential of natural products against hypoxia-induced neuronal injury.. Front Pharmacol. 2026. PMID:41756238.PMID 41756238 ↗Journal Front PharmacolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41756238/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMedicinal Plants for Major Depressive Disorder. ↗Bertollo AG et al.. Medicinal Plants for Major Depressive Disorder.. Brain Sci. 2026. PMID:41750223.PMID 41750223 ↗Journal Brain SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41750223/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCorrection: Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis identifies candidate genes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in leaves of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. ↗Wan L et al.. Correction: Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis identifies candidate genes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in leaves of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban.. Front Plant Sci. 2026. PMID:41710173.PMID 41710173 ↗Journal Front Plant SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41710173/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Gotu Kola. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Gotu Kola
A score of 3.5 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.