Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., a traditional medicinal plant widely distributed in Southeast Asia, has been demonstrated to possess significant neuroprotective effect. However, the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of C. asiatica (CA) in treating neurological diseases remain to be further explored. This review synthesizes evidence on CA's pharmacokinetics, antioxidant/anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and therapeutic potential in various neurological disorders. DISCUSSION: Evidence shows CA can mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal apoptosis-key mechanisms underlying these conditions. In epilepsy models, asiatic acid suppresses glutamate release, improves synaptic and mitochondrial function, and reduces neuronal damage. In neurodegenerative diseases, CA extracts enhance memory and cognitive functions by activating antioxidant response pathways and protecting hippocampal mitochondria from oxidative stress. CA extracts also display anticonvulsant effects without major toxicity. Against Bisphenol A-induced neurotoxicity, CA alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation while restoring mitochondrial function. For radiation-induced brain injury, CA improves cognition and memory via antioxidant pathways and anti-inflammatory effects. In cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, asiaticoside reduces oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through NOD2/MAPK/NF-κB pathway modulation and microglial regulation. Recent research suggests that CA also plays a significant role in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. The plant's active components have been found to regulate neurotransmitter activity, reduce oxidative stress, and modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. CONCLUSIONS: CA demonstrates broad neuroprotective potential, offering multi-target benefits with relatively low toxicity. These findings support its development as a novel therapeutic agent for neurological disorders. Further clinical research is warranted to confirm safety, optimize dosing, and translate preclinical results into effective human treatments.