Pharmacological potential and Nanotechnological Advances of Centella asiatica (Thankuni): A Review

Abstract

Centella asiatica L., commonly referred to as Thankuni, is well recognised in Bangladesh for having substantial medicinal and ethnopharmacological value. Both South africa and Asia are home to this plant. It has high content of asiatic acids, asiaticosides, madecassic acids, and madecassosides as well as also rich in flavonoids, and phytosteroles. The gas chromatography revealed the presence of various pharmacologically active substances like resveratrol, quinine, tannins and naringenols. It is utilized for its benefits related to managing diabetes mellitus; inhibiting inflammatory responses; curing cancers; nerve protection; cardiovascular disease prevention; aiding hepatic functions; having antioxidant properties and aiding wounds repair. Recent studies have explored different nanoformulations, including nanoemulsions, liposomes, hydrogels, nanostructured lipid carriers, and solid lipid nanoparticles, to enhance the bioavailability, targeted distribution, and stability of bioactive components. Using computational techniques, researchers have explored the significance of C. asiatica phytochemicals in tackling diabetes, hypertension, along with alzheimer's disease. This review draws these strands together, moving from traditional use through phytochemistry, pharmacology, nanoformulation strategy and in silico findings, to outline where the evidence is strong and where it remains preliminary. While preclinical evidence strongly upholds its pharmacological benefits, further clinical studies and advanced nanoformulation research are mandatory to authenticate its efficacy and ease the translation into evidence based therapeutic implementations