In Collaboration with UC Davis Dermatology Department on the Herb Gotu Kola

In keeping with its mission to support research in the field of Ayurvedic Medicine, the California College of Ayurveda is pleased to announce the publication of a new research paper

In keeping with its mission to support research in the field of Ayurvedic Medicine, the California College of Ayurveda is pleased to announce the publication of the research paper “Gotu Kola Exposure Protects Adult Skin Fibroblasts from Oxidative Stress”. The research showed that the herb, Gotu Kola, commonly used by practitioners of Ayurveda for the treatment of several skin diseases protects the skin against cellular oxidation, a key component of the skin aging process and inflammation.

The research was performed as a collaborative effort between the California College of Ayurveda and the UC Davis Dermatology Department. The researcher team included local resident, Marc Halpern DC, CAS, President of the California College of Ayurveda in Nevada City as well as well as Rasiq Zachria BS, Rivkah Isseroff MD and Raja Sivamani MD, MS from the UC Davis Medical Center.

The Research shows that pre-treating cells with an aqueous solution of gotu kola protected the cells against induced oxidation from three sources: The first was ultraviolet light type A, as occur from sun exposure. The second was hydrogen peroxide which mimics the inflammation that occurs as a result of neutrophils entering damaged tissue. The third was inflammation caused by Benzoyl Peroxide as occurs in the treatment of acne by drugs containing this chemical compound. This research has important ramifications for the development of future drugs and skin care products.

The following is quoted from the research abstract:

“Our results show that the extraction solvent [of Gotu Kola] significantly affects the final antioxidant ability with aqueous extracts having higher antioxidant ability compared to ethanol or acetone. Furthermore, pretreatment with aqueous extracts of gotu kola protect adult skin fibroblasts from oxidative stress injuries and resultant release of the inflammatory mediator IL-6. NRF2 allows for assessment of the cellular mechanisms in regards to how gotu kola protects fibroblasts and how they modulate collagen breakdown. In Ayurveda, gotu kola is a rejuvenative herb and our cell culture results appear to support this notion in adult skin fibroblasts. However, further research is needed to better identify the cellular mechanisms and pathways in understanding how gotu kola exerts its effects on skin fibroblasts.”

This research is being presented in poster presentation format in ayurvedic and dermatology conferences around the world. The research recently received the highest level award from the National Ayurvedic Medical Association at its 2013 conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Established in 1995, the California College of Ayurveda is the longest running, State-approved college offering professional training programs for the study of Ayurvedic Medicine in the West. CCA offers a comprehensive curriculum, with three levels of programs leading to certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (C.A.S.). For More Information Please Contact: Dr. Marc Halpern, President of the California College of Ayurveda and author of the book, Healing Your Life; Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda at 530-478-9100 or email him directly at drh@ayurvedacollege.com

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