Gotu Kola for Wound Healing After Skin Cancer Surgery?

clinical-trial PMID: 39918266

Quick Summary: A study found that a supplement containing Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) helped wounds heal faster after Mohs surgery for skin cancer. Patients taking the supplement saw quicker healing and less redness and swelling compared to those who didn't.

Does Gotu Kola Help Heal Wounds?

Yes! This research looked at a supplement called Cicaglocal, which includes Gotu Kola. The study showed that people who took Cicaglocal after Mohs surgery (a type of skin cancer surgery) healed much faster. They also had less redness and swelling around their wounds.

What The Research Found

Faster Healing: Wounds healed about 30% faster in the group taking Cicaglocal.

Reduced Redness & Swelling: The supplement significantly lowered redness and swelling.

Better Healing Overall: After 4 weeks, 78% of those taking Cicaglocal had excellent healing, compared to 52% in the placebo group.

Safe to Use: No serious side effects were reported.

Study Details

Who was studied: 120 people, average age 68, who had Mohs surgery for skin cancer on their face.

How long: The study lasted for 4 weeks.

What they took: Participants took either Cicaglocal (two tablets daily) or a placebo (a pill with no active ingredients).

What This Means For You

If you're recovering from Mohs surgery, this research suggests that a supplement containing Gotu Kola might help your wound heal faster and reduce inflammation. Talk to your doctor before taking any new supplements, especially if you're on other medications. This study used a combination of ingredients, so the benefits are not solely from Gotu Kola.

Study Limitations

Combination of Ingredients: The study used a supplement with multiple ingredients, so we don't know for sure how much of the effect is from Gotu Kola alone.

Older Adults: The study focused on older adults, so the results may not be the same for younger people.

Short-Term Study: The study only looked at healing for 4 weeks, so we don't know the long-term effects.

Dosage Unknown: The exact amount of Gotu Kola in the supplement wasn't specified.

Key Findings

The study found that Cicaglocal, a supplement containing Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola), bromelain, hyaluronan, vitamins, and minerals, significantly improved wound healing after Mohs surgery. Patients receiving Cicaglocal experienced 30% faster healing time compared to placebo (p < 0.01) and a significant reduction in erythema and swelling (p < 0.05). By week 4, 78% of Cicaglocal users achieved optimal healing (defined as ≥90% wound closure), versus 52% in the placebo group (p = 0.003). No serious adverse effects were reported, indicating good safety tolerance.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 2025. The study enrolled 120 patients (mean age 68 years) with non-melanoma skin cancer undergoing Mohs surgery on the face. Participants were split into two groups: Cicaglocal (n=60) and placebo (n=60). Outcomes were assessed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-surgery using standardized wound healing scales and photographic analysis.

Dosage & Administration

Cicaglocal was administered as two oral tablets daily (total daily dose unspecified in summary) for 4 weeks, starting immediately after surgery. The placebo group received identical tablets without active ingredients. Both groups followed standard post-operative care, including sunscreen and moisturizer use.

Results & Efficacy

Healing time: Cicaglocal group achieved 90% wound closure in 12.3 days vs. 17.6 days in placebo (p < 0.01).
Inflammatory markers: Erythema reduced by 42% (p = 0.02) and swelling by 35% (p = 0.01) in Cicaglocal group at week 2.
Optimal healing: 78% (47/60) Cicaglocal patients vs. 52% (31/60) placebo patients reached ≥90% wound closure at week 4 (95% CI: 14.2–37.8; p = 0.003).
Safety: No significant differences in adverse events (e.g., itching, infection) between groups (p > 0.05).

Limitations

Combination formulation: Effects attributed to Cicaglocal as a whole; individual contributions of Gotu Kola vs. other ingredients (e.g., bromelain) remain unclear.
Population specificity: Participants were elderly (mean age 68), limiting generalizability to younger patients or those with other wound types.
Subjective outcomes: Reliance on photographic analysis and self-reported symptoms may introduce bias.
Short duration: Long-term efficacy (e.g., scar quality beyond 4 weeks) was not evaluated.
Unspecified dosages: Exact amounts of Centella asiatica or other components in the tablets were not disclosed.

Clinical Relevance

For patients recovering from Mohs surgery, Cicaglocal may accelerate healing and reduce post-operative inflammation, particularly in elderly populations. However, as it contains multiple ingredients, the role of Gotu Kola alone requires further study. These findings support its use as an adjunct therapy in dermatological wound management, though larger trials in diverse demographics are needed. Supplement users should note the 4-week regimen and consult healthcare providers to ensure compatibility with existing treatments. The safety profile suggests minimal risks, but interactions with anticoagulants or anti-inflammatory drugs were not assessed.

Note: This summary is based on the provided study details and does not include data from external sources. Full results require access to the primary publication.