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Centella asiatica L. (Gotu Kola) is a nutritionally important plant and a valued traditional
medicine in South East Asia. In this review, the chemical composition, nutritional values,
and health benefits of C. asiatica have been discussed in detail to emphasize its usage as
traditional food and medicine. C. asiatica is one of the most commonly used green leafy
vegetables (GLVs) in some countries including Sri Lanka due to its high amounts of
medicinally important triterpenoids and beneficial carotenoids. It is consumed in the
form of GLVs and in the preparation of juice, drink, and other food products. It is also
known to contain vitamins B and C, proteins, important minerals, and some other
phytonutrients such as flavonoids, volatile oils, tannins, and polyphenol. In vitro and
in vivo studies have shown important health benefits like antidiabetic, wound-healing,
antimicrobial, memory-enhancing, antioxidant, and neuroprotecting activities. However, detailed scientific approaches on clinical trials regarding health benefits and nutritional values of C: asiatica are limited, hindering the perception of its benefits,
mechanisms, and toxicity in order to develop new drug prototypes. In vitro studies have
shown that the method of processing C. asiatica has an impact on its nutritional values
and health-related beneficial compounds. The composition of its compounds is
influenced by different biotic and abiotic factors which need to be studied in detail
to provide information to the public in order to maximize the usage of this
valuable plant
