Global Ingredient Risk Index Botanical

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

Also known as: centella, Indian pennywort, brahmi (misnamed), tiger herb, TECA

27 მარ 2026

MODERATE RISK 3.5/10 How?

This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 3.5/10).

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

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Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.

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.

Scientific Name: Centella asiatica

Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.

SETI Score 50/100

Risk Level High risk

Scientific Confidence Low

Evidence Strength Limited

Key Benefit Botanical

Key Safety Concern Hepatotoxicity -- rare but documented

Evidence Reviewed 10 PubMed studies

Scientific Confidence Low

Based on study quality, consistency, and recency

Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment

SETI Score 50/100

Risk Level High risk

Evidence Strength Limited

Main Benefit Botanical

Main Safety Concern Hepatotoxicity -- rare but documented

Ingredient Gotu Kola

Scientific name Centella asiatica

Scientific Evidence Overview

10 studies reviewed
0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)

Safety Signals

Hepatotoxicity -- rare but documented
Photosensitivity reactions
Additive sedation with CNS depressants
Contraindicated in pregnancy at high doses

Evidence Strength Limited

Final Scientific Assessment

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.

Ingredient Gotu Kola

Evidence reviewed 10 peer-reviewed studies (last 10 years)

Scientific name Centella asiatica

50 /100

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

10 Other / unclassified

Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Asiatic Acid Ameliorates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats Through Enhancement of TGF-u03b21. ↗

PMID 41873212 ↗

Journal J Biochem Mol Toxicol

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41873212/

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.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Therapeutic potential of Asiaticoside in wound healing after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). ↗

PMID 41866921 ↗

Journal Pharm Biol

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41866921/

Li Q et al.. Therapeutic potential of Asiaticoside in wound healing after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).. Pharm Biol. 2026. PMID:41866921.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Optimizing photoperiod for growth and centellosides biosynthesis in Centella asiatica under vertical farming conditions. ↗

PMID 41866629 ↗

Journal Sci Rep

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41866629/

Yang GS et al.. Optimizing photoperiod for growth and centellosides biosynthesis in Centella asiatica under vertical farming conditions.. Sci Rep. 2026. PMID:41866629.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Asiaticoside attenuates renal fibrosis by targeting STAT3 to restore Th17/Treg homeostasis. ↗

PMID 41865690 ↗

Journal Phytomedicine

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865690/

Xie LJ et al.. Asiaticoside attenuates renal fibrosis by targeting STAT3 to restore Th17/Treg homeostasis.. Phytomedicine. 2026. PMID:41865690.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Anti-Obesity Activity of Giant Centella asiatica Lava Seawater Extract (GCA-LS-90) Through Regulation of Adipocyte Differentiation and Lipid Metabolism In Vitro. ↗

PMID 41828505 ↗

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41828505/

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.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Understanding the metabolome of four stress-relieving and cognitive-enhancing medicinal plants: a comprehensive HR-LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. ↗

PMID 41793600 ↗

Journal Metabolomics

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41793600/

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.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Centella asiatica, Daucus carota, and Brassica oleracea Extracts Protect Against Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy Through the Activation of the AKT/mTOR Pathway. ↗

PMID 41758244 ↗

Journal J Med Food

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41758244/

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.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Review of neuroprotective potential of natural products against hypoxia-induced neuronal injury. ↗

PMID 41756238 ↗

Journal Front Pharmacol

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41756238/

Zhang Y et al.. Review of neuroprotective potential of natural products against hypoxia-induced neuronal injury.. Front Pharmacol. 2026. PMID:41756238.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Medicinal Plants for Major Depressive Disorder. ↗

PMID 41750223 ↗

Journal Brain Sci

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41750223/

Bertollo AG et al.. Medicinal Plants for Major Depressive Disorder.. Brain Sci. 2026. PMID:41750223.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Correction: Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis identifies candidate genes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in leaves of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. ↗

PMID 41710173 ↗

Journal Front Plant Sci

Year 2026

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41710173/

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.

Q × L × D × S × 10 = 3.5 / 10

The GIRI Score is the product of four independently computed evidence components, each normalised to 0–1, then scaled to 0–10. Every component is derived exclusively from peer-reviewed references and regulatory data — no editorial judgement is applied.

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)

50%

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.

Benefit

Risk

50%

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.

50%

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.

0Q × 5L × 5D × 5S = 3.5 / 10

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.

MODERATE RISK 3.5/10

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.

LOW
0–3.0

MODERATE
3.0–5.5

HIGH
5.5–7.5

CRITICAL
7.5–10

3.5

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.

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Gotu Kola

Safety Profile

Known Safety Concerns

Contraindications

Interactions

Evidence and Scientific Findings

Ingredient Overview

Biological and Chemical Classification

Mechanism of Action

Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness

Pharmacokinetics

Recommended Dosage

SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index

Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment

Evidence Summary

Evidence Policy

Evidence Distribution

Score Transparency

Risk Level Classification

What drove the Moderate classification for Gotu Kola

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