title: Effects of the total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in venous hypertensive microangiopathy: a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica (TTFCA), was effective in improving the microcirculation in venous hypertension and microangiopathy. Forty patients with severe venous hypertension, ankle swelling, lipodermatosclerosis were included. After informed consent, patients were randomized into a treatment and a placebo group: those in the treatment group received TTFCA (tablets, 60 mg, twice daily for 8 weeks). The two groups of subjects were comparable for age and sex distribution. The mean age was 48 years (SD 9; M:F= 11:11) in the treatment group (22 patients) and 47.6 (SD 7; M:F= 10:8) in the placebo group (18 patients). There were no differences between placebo and treatment group at inclusion; there was no change between inclusion and measurements at 8 weeks in the placebo group. A decrease (p < 0.05) in RF (flux at rest) and RAS (rate of ankle swelling) were observed in the treatment group. The decrease in capillary filtration was associated with improvement in signs and symptoms (p < 0.05). The difference in flux, signs and symptoms, and filtration was clinically important at 8 weeks. No side effects were observed. In conclusion venous microangiopathy was improved by TTFCA treatment.
authors.affiliation: Irvine Vascular Laboratory, St Mary's Hospital and Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cesarone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belcaro
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: De Sanctis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Incandela
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cacchio
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bavera
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ippolito
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geroulakos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dugall
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buccella
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kleyweght
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cacchio
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; C005084:TECA; D014315:Triterpenes