Nature's Answer to Lung Cancer: The Antiproliferative Power of Centella Asiatica
Exploring how traditional herbal wisdom is being validated by modern scientific research in the fight against lung cancer
When Traditional Wisdom Meets Modern Science
Imagine a humble creeping plant, found in moist tropical regions across Asia and Africa, that has been treasured for centuries in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda. Known as Gotu Kola or Pegaga, this unassuming herb is now stepping into the spotlight of modern cancer research 1 9 .
Lung cancer remains one of the most devastating diseases worldwide, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality with approximately 1.80 million deaths annually 6 .
The limitations of current treatments, especially the development of drug resistance in advanced cases, have scientists urgently searching for novel therapeutic approaches 6 . In this compelling intersection of traditional knowledge and cutting-edge science, researchers are now uncovering the remarkable potential of Centella asiatica's aqueous leaf extract to inhibit the proliferation of human lung cancer cells, offering promising avenues for future treatment strategies.
Lung Cancer Challenge
Approximately 1.80 million deaths annually, with drug resistance complicating treatment in advanced cases.
Traditional Remedy
Centella asiatica has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine systems.
Understanding Cancer Proliferation and Nature's Potential Solutions
What Does "Antiproliferative" Actually Mean?
Cancer fundamentally represents uncontrolled cell division—a rebellion of cells against the normal signals that regulate growth and death. The term "antiproliferative" refers to the ability to suppress this rampant cell multiplication. In lung cancer, this uncontrolled growth leads to tumor formation in the respiratory epithelium, the delicate tissue lining our airways 2 .
Cancer cells achieve this relentless expansion through several strategies:
- Evading apoptosis (programmed cell death)
- Sustaining proliferative signaling
- Activating invasion and metastasis
- Inducing blood vessel formation (angiogenesis)
Antiproliferative compounds work against these processes, essentially putting the brakes on cancer's runaway growth and potentially triggering cell death mechanisms.
Centella Asiatica's Bioactive Arsenal
Centella asiatica contains an impressive array of bioactive compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties. The most significant for anticancer activity include:
Saponins
Which enhance bioavailability and biological activity
Flavonoids
Known for their antioxidant properties 1
Asiatic Acid
Potent inhibition of EGFR in non-small cell lung cancer 6
Recent research has specifically highlighted asiatic acid's potent inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a key driver in non-small cell lung cancer 6 . What makes these compounds particularly promising is their multi-targeted approach—they attack cancer through multiple pathways simultaneously, potentially reducing the likelihood of resistance development.
A Deep Dive Into a Groundbreaking Experiment
Methodology: From Leaf to Lab
Plant Material Preparation
Fresh leaves of Centella asiatica were identified, and a voucher specimen was deposited at the Medicinal Plant Division of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. The leaves were sun-dried and ground into a fine powder to preserve bioactive compounds.
Aqueous Extraction
Researchers refluxed 250g of powdered leaves with 1.5 liters of distilled water at approximately 40°C for 3 hours, simulating traditional preparation methods while ensuring standardization. The extract was filtered, concentrated, and freeze-dried to remove solvents, resulting in a stable powder that could be precisely measured for experiments.
Cell Culture
Human respiratory epithelial cells were obtained from consented patients undergoing turbinectomy. These cells were carefully cultured using co-culture techniques until they reached the first passage, ensuring sufficient viable cells for testing.
Viability Assessment
Before treatment, researchers confirmed cell viability using trypan blue dye exclusion assay, documenting high viability rates of 74% at initial culture and 91.61% at first passage.
Experimental Treatment
The team prepared various concentrations of the aqueous extract (ranging from 15.6 ppm to 2000 ppm) and applied them to cultured respiratory epithelial cells. They used MTT assays—a colorimetric method that measures mitochondrial activity as an indicator of cell viability—to quantitatively determine the number of viable cells after treatment.
Revealing Results: Concentration-Dependent Inhibition
The findings from this investigation were both clear and compelling, demonstrating a significant dose-response relationship between Centella asiatica extract and inhibition of respiratory epithelial cell proliferation 2 .
| Concentration (ppm) | Inhibitory Effect | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 15.6 | Minimal | Not significant |
| 31.3 | Minimal | Not significant |
| 62.5 | Low | Not significant |
| 125 | Moderate | Not significant |
| 250 | Moderate | Not significant |
| 500 | High | Not significant |
| 1000 | Significant inhibition | p<0.05 |
| 2000 | Highly significant inhibition | p<0.05 |
| Bioactive Compound | Mechanism of Action | Cell Lines Tested | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqueous Extract | Multi-targeted | Respiratory epithelial cells | Significant antiproliferative effect at high concentrations 2 |
| Asiatic Acid | EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition | A549 (wild-type EGFR), H1975 (T790M mutant) | Potently inhibited both wild-type and mutant EGFR; induced apoptosis 6 |
| Dammarolic Acid | Synergistic with sorafenib | Lung cancer cell lines | Enhanced TKI activity; increased ROS; disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential |
These findings align with other studies on specific triterpenoids from Centella asiatica. For instance, recent research has shown that asiatic acid potently inhibits both wild-type and double-mutant EGFR, with molecular docking studies confirming its binding to the ATP-binding pocket of EGFR with energies superior to conventional drugs like erlotinib and osimertinib 6 .
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Research Reagents
| Reagent/Equipment | Function in Research | Specific Application in Centella Studies |
|---|---|---|
| MTT Assay Kit | Measures cell viability and proliferation | Quantitatively determined viable cells after C. asiatica treatment 2 |
| Cell Culture Medium (DKSFM:F12:DMEM) | Supports cell growth in laboratory | Maintained respiratory epithelial cells in culture 2 |
| Collagenase Type I | Tissue digestion enzyme | Isolated respiratory epithelial cells from human nasal turbinate specimens 2 |
| Agar Well Diffusion | Assesses antimicrobial activity | Evaluated potential antibacterial effects of plant extracts 5 |
| Extract-N-Amp™ Plant PCR Kits | Rapid DNA extraction and amplification | Genotyped plant materials for standardization 3 |
| Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Assay | Measures membrane damage | Determined if antibacterial activity involved membrane disruption 5 |
| Flow Cytometry Equipment | Analyzes cell cycle and apoptosis | Assessed ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycle distribution |
Beyond the Basics: Implications and Future Research
The implications of these findings extend well beyond this single study. Recent investigations have revealed that specific triterpenoids from Centella asiatica, particularly asiatic acid and dammarolic acid, show remarkable potential in addressing one of the most challenging aspects of lung cancer treatment: drug resistance 6 .
Synergistic Effects with Existing Therapies
In a 2025 study, dammarolic acid demonstrated synergistic effects when combined with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib . This combination therapy resulted in:
- Elevated reactive oxygen species in cancer cells
- Disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential
- Cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase
- Inhibition of autophagy in metastatic-prone NSCLC cells
Overcoming Drug Resistance
Similarly, asiatic acid has shown potent activity against the T790M-mutated EGFR, which is responsible for resistance to first-generation TKIs like erlotinib 6 . This suggests that Centella asiatica derivatives could potentially be developed into next-generation TKIs that overcome the limitations of current targeted therapies.
Compound Isolation
Isolating and purifying specific bioactive compounds for enhanced efficacy
Clinical Translation
Advancing promising compounds through preclinical and clinical trials
A Growing Frontier in Cancer Therapeutics
The investigation into Centella asiatica's antiproliferative efficacy against lung cancer represents a fascinating convergence of traditional wisdom and modern scientific validation. The aqueous leaf extract, long used in traditional medicine systems, has demonstrated significant concentration-dependent inhibition of human respiratory epithelial cell proliferation, particularly at higher concentrations 2 .
More importantly, the identification of specific triterpenoids like asiatic acid and dammarolic acid with potent activity against both wild-type and drug-resistant mutant EGFR forms opens exciting avenues for future drug development 6 . These compounds not only inhibit cancer proliferation but also address the critical challenge of treatment resistance through multi-targeted approaches and synergistic combinations with existing therapies.
While more research is needed—particularly clinical trials to establish efficacy and safety in humans—the current evidence firmly positions Centella asiatica as a promising candidate in the ongoing fight against lung cancer. As we continue to explore nature's pharmacy, this humble plant reminds us that sometimes the most advanced solutions may be found in traditional remedies, waiting for science to unlock their full potential.
