The effects of glycoside-rich green extract from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban on wound healing and anti-aging activity

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban extracts contain triterpenoid compounds, namely, glycosides (madecassoside and asiaticoside) and aglycones (madecassic acid and asiatic acid), that possess skincare properties. The extract with high amounts of active components could guarantee the quality of extracts for application in the cosmeceutical industry. This study investigated the dermatological benefits of glycoside-rich green extracts from C. asiatica and different triterpenoid combinations. Six C. asiatica green extracts with different triterpenoid contents were divided into two groups: glycoside-rich extracts (GRCs), which contained more than 10% glycosides, and glycoside-low extracts (GLCs), which contained less than 10% glycosides. The GRCs, the GLCs, and the triterpenoid components of the selected extract were diluted with 1% DMSO to concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 µg/ml for cell viability, cell migration and procollagen type I C-peptide (PIP) production assays. For the in vitro antiglycation assay, all the samples were diluted with 2% ethanol to concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/ml before testing. The best green extract at the optimum concentration was selected, and its activity was compared with that of its triterpenoid components. At 10 µg/ml, GRCs promoted wound healing by stimulating fibroblast and keratinocyte motility and increasing collagen production. The main pharmacologically active compounds involved in wound healing were glycosides (madecassoside and asiaticoside). Regarding antiaging activity, 1 mg/ml GRC had a stronger antiglycation effect than combined or individual triterpenoid compounds. Therefore, the antiaging activity of GRC may be mainly attributable to compounds other than triterpenoids. C. asiatica green extract containing more than 10% glycosides has high development potential for use in the cosmeceutical industry due to its ability to promote wound healing and its antiaging properties.