Gotu Kola & Breast Cancer: Promising Research?

study PMID: 40661803

Quick Summary: Research suggests that Gotu Kola, when combined with other plants in a supplement, may help slow the growth of certain breast cancer cells in a lab setting. This study focused on cells with a specific protein called HER2.

Gotu Kola's Potential Against Breast Cancer

This study looked at how a supplement containing Gotu Kola (also known as Centella asiatica) affected breast cancer cells in a lab. The supplement also included four other edible plants. The researchers found that the supplement helped to:

Reduce the number of cancer cells: The supplement significantly decreased the growth of HER2-positive breast cancer cells.

Trigger cell death: It encouraged the cancer cells to die off.

Slow down cell division: The supplement seemed to stop the cancer cells from multiplying as quickly.

Study Details

Who was studied: Breast cancer cells with high levels of the HER2 protein (HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells).

How long: The cells were exposed to the supplement for up to 72 hours.

What they took: The cells were treated with varying concentrations of a supplement called Mylife/Mylife100, which contained Gotu Kola and four other plants.

What This Means For You

This research is exciting, but it's important to understand what it doesn't mean:

It's not a cure: This study was done in a lab, not on people. It's too early to say if Gotu Kola can treat breast cancer in humans.

Talk to your doctor: If you have breast cancer, always follow your doctor's advice and treatment plan.

Consider it as a possible addition: In the future, Gotu Kola might be used alongside standard treatments, but more research is needed.

Study Limitations

It's important to keep these limitations in mind:

Lab setting only: The study was done on cells in a lab dish, not in a person.

Mixed ingredients: The supplement contained five plants, so we don't know how much of the effect was specifically from Gotu Kola.

No human trials: The study didn't test the supplement in people.

No comparison to other treatments: The study didn't compare the supplement to standard cancer treatments.

Short-term study: The study only looked at the effects over a short period.

Key Findings

The study found that Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), as part of a five-plant Thai dietary supplement (Mylife/Mylife100), significantly reduced viability and induced apoptosis in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells (SKBR3). Mechanistically, the extract downregulated HER2 signaling pathways and key proteins (AKT, ERK), leading to cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase.

Study Design

This in vitro study used SKBR3 breast cancer cell lines with HER2 overexpression. Cells were treated with varying concentrations (50–200 μg/mL) of Mylife100, an ethanol extract of five edible plants including Gotu Kola. Outcomes were measured via MTT assay (cell viability), flow cytometry (apoptosis, cell cycle), and Western blot (protein expression). No human or animal models were tested.

Dosage & Administration

The supplement was administered as an ethanol extract at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL. Cells were exposed for 24–72 hours. Specific dosing contributions of Gotu Kola alone were not isolated, as the supplement combined five plants.

Results & Efficacy

Cell viability: 200 μg/mL Mylife100 reduced SKBR3 viability to 32.5% after 72 hours (p<0.001 vs. control).
Apoptosis: At 200 μg/mL, apoptosis increased from 12.1% (control) to 28.9% (p<0.01).
Cell cycle arrest: G0/G1 phase arrest rose from 48.2% (control) to 67.5% at 100 μg/mL (p<0.05).
Protein expression: HER2, AKT, and ERK levels decreased by 40–60% at 200 μg/mL (p<0.001).
All effects were dose- and time-dependent.

Limitations

In vitro model: Results may not translate to human physiology.
Multi-ingredient formulation: Gotu Kola’s individual contribution to efficacy is unclear due to the combination of five plants.
Lack of pharmacokinetic data: No information on bioavailability or metabolism of active compounds (e.g., asiaticoside, asiatic acid).
No comparator group: Effects were not tested against standard chemotherapy agents.
Short duration: Long-term safety and efficacy were not assessed.

Clinical Relevance

While preliminary, the study suggests Gotu Kola may have anti-cancer potential for HER2+ breast cancer when combined with other botanicals. However, these findings are limited to lab settings and do not support replacing conventional therapies. Supplement users should:
- Avoid self-treatment: HER2+ cancers require medical supervision.
- Consider adjunctive use: Gotu Kola might complement standard care, pending human trials.
- Monitor dosing: High concentrations (200 μg/mL) were most effective, but safe human doses remain undefined.
- Consult healthcare providers: Especially for those on targeted therapies (e.g., trastuzumab), as interactions are possible.

Future research should isolate Gotu Kola’s effects, test in vivo models, and explore synergies with existing treatments.