By Rajen M. (Source : Sunday Star 27^th January 2002)

I was absolutely stunned when I found out recently that a leading drug company is selling standardised extracts of a common Malaysian herb, pegaga, for US$1,000 per kilo! The raw form of this herb costs jut RM 7 per kilo in the wet market!

Furthermore, a French cosmetic manufacturer sells these high – end extracts as a cream for anti – aging for US$ 75 a tube.

This herb has such exciting potential that the Malaysian Government recently invested several million ringgit to study it further with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

On the World Health Organisation’s list, it is described as ‘a herb with real potential.’ It is being billed in the West as "herb for the memory" and "herb for the brain."

More recent research particularly in Europe may yet bill it as "herb for the skin." It is one of the hottest herbs being sold over the Internet, and is the second – most sold herb for use as brain tonic after ginkgo. By the way, it seems to be ginkgo’s excellent herbal partner for brain health.

Pegaga is also listed in the 31^st Edition of The Martindale, a compilation of therapeutic substances published by the British Royal Pharmaceutical Society. It is used not only by herbalists but also by homeopaths in the United Kingdom.

Herb with potential

Earl Mindel, America’s leading pharmacist turned herbalist cum nutritionist, ranks pegaga among the best 100 herbs in the world (the "Hot Hundreds" as he calls it) in his book The Herb Bible. Dr. Robert D. Willix Jr. in his Health and Longevity Newsletter calls it a "miracle herb" in helping to improve circulation and skin conditions.

A French study that was published in a French medical journal in 1996 reported that this herb also helped women heal more rapidly compared to standard treatment following childbirth. It has been on the French pharmacopoeia since 1896.

In Ayurveda, almost 4,000 years ago, pegaga was described as "Brahmi". This was indeed a very powerful name – just one step below the all – pervading Brahman. It was the staple diet of the priestly class who used it to enhance their memory while they studied the ancient texts.

It has been used as a tonic for purification of blood and for promoting healthy skin. It has also been used to aid in restful sleep, as a treatment for high blood pressure and also as a mild diuretic. Recent studies (1995) demonstrated that this remarkable herb destroyed cultured tumour cells in the laboratory setting (in vitro).

Where would you find pegaga? Probably in your own backyard! Otherwise, it is sold in the pasar malam. The Malays use it as part of their ulam. The Chinese call it Ching Chow Sui and make "cooling" drinks from it. The south Indians calls it valarai. In northern India, it is called gotu kola. The botanical name is Centella asiatica, which translates as "the star from Asia."

Pegaga is a slender creeper that grows mainly in swampy areas in the tropics. It has fan shaped leaves, which are about the size of an old British penny – hence its common names – Indians pennywort, marsh penny and water pennywort.

It is regarded as a rejuvenating herb in Ayurveda and is even used to improve meditation. It is said to develop the "crown chakra", the energy centre at the top of the head, and to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, which the leaf is said to resemble.

Pegaga has three main chemical constituents. The first is asiaticoside, which is a triterpene glycoside and classified as an antibiotic. It aids in wound healing and has been used in the treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in India. The second constituent is a pair of chemicals, brahmoside and brahminoside, which are saponin glycosides. These are diuretic in nature and have a slightly sedative action in large doses.

Finally, there is madecassoside, a glycoside that is strong anti – inflammatory agent. The plant is also a good source of vitamins A, B, D and K as well as minerals like magnesium, calcium and sodium.

Research began on the mode of action of Centella in 1949, with its effects on leprosy sores and ulcers. Initial research revealed an antibacterial effect, but further research in the 1950s showed that the plant’s success in accelerating healing and relieving inflammation was due to its stimulating effect on the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The RES is involved in the formation and destruction of blood cells, as well as inflammation and immune responses.

Further research supported this hypothesis, and by the 1970s medicinal preparations containing the triterpenes of Centella were used widely for products targeting cellulitis, acute inflammation of the skin, wound healing and rheumatic inflammation.

Pegaga affects various stages of tissue development, including keratinisation (the process of replacing skin after sores or ulcers), the synthesis of collagen (the first step in tissue repair), the stimulation of hair and nail growth and support for the repair of cartilage.

Skin

Pegaga has been found to have significant results in healing of skin, other connective tissues, lymph tissue, blood vessels and mucous membranes. Researchers have found that this herb contains several glycosides that exhibit wound healing and anti – inflammatory activities, and that asiaticosides stimulate the formation of lipids and proteins necessary for healthy skin.

Recent studies show that it also has a positive effect on the circulatory system. It seems to improve the flow of blood throughout the body by strengthening the veins and capillaries. The herb has been used successfully to treat phlebitis (inflammation of the veins), varicose veins, leg cramps and swelling and "heaviness" or tingling in the legs.

In modern healthcare, it has been used for venous insufficiency, localised inflammation and infection and post – surgery recovery.

Venous system

Recent studies in Europe have focused on the use of Centella to treat persons with long – standing or chronic venous insufficiency. In one major study, 72% of 125 patients suffering from phlebitis, capillary fragility and paraphlebitis were successfully treated. The success rate from other studies range from 70% to 90%.

Connective tissue

As pegaga helps to improve connective tissue, it can be beneficial in conditions like varicose veins or even in the treatment of chronic piles. The same connective tissue repair potential may be employed in the treatment of various skin conditions where there is extensive scaring. There is some evidence that this potential may be employed in the treatment of arthritis, which is connective tissue related.

Referred to as "food for the brain", pegaga has demonstrated mild tranquillising, anti – anxiety and anti – stress effects. It also improves mental functions such as concentration and memory. It has a calming effect on the body and is chiefly used to support the central nervous system.

These beneficial qualities make it an excellent herb for children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) because it has a stimulating effect on the brain that increase one’s ability to focus while having a soothing and relaxing effect on an overactive nervous system. It is safe even on long – term use in children.

Synergy with anti – oxidants

There is tremendous evidence that pegaga works in powerful synergy with other anti – oxidants like green tea and curcumin especially for skin healing and maintenance of skin health. For brain health, pegaga works in synergy with ginkgo. While ginkgo improves blood flow in the larger blood vessel (macro circulation), pegaga will improve blood flow to the smaller capillaries (micro circulation).

Standardised extracts are used. For skin health, we normally standardise to asiatic acids. Nevertheless, clever formulators tend to use the powdered whole herb to provide other active ingredients that have yet to be identified.

Local herb

How does the local herb that grows in your backyard compare with the one that grows in India or even China? Well, it seems that local pegaga has bigger leaves that are juicier and presumably have a richer blend of active ingredients.

The recent move for collaborative research between the Malaysia Government and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is proof that the pegaga is unique.