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Gotu kola and working memory: grade C

Limited evidence. Direction: No effect.

C LimitedShort-term only

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: Meta-analysis of the two gotu-kola-only trials (54 participants) null; one small positive trial. the rubric not met (pooled trials too small for N), so C with direction none

In a 2017 meta-analysis, pooling the two trials of gotu kola alone (54 participants) gave SMD 0.19 (95% CI -0.35 to 0.72) for working memory scores, not significant. One of them, a double-blind trial of 28 healthy older adults, found the 750 mg dose improved working memory, and the review rated it at low risk of bias. Both trials are small and short, so the evidence supports limited, mixed findings rather than N.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

EffectMixedNo effectSize shows participants (n)2005201020152020Meta-analysisRCTWattanathorn 2008, 2008: RCT, n = 28, result not recordedPuttarak 2017, 2017: meta-analysis, n not recorded, result not recorded
each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.
Show the numbers
StudyYearDesignParticipantsResult
Wattanathorn 20082008RCT28result not recorded
Puttarak 20172017meta-analysisnot recordedresult not recorded

Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica.

Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica J Ethnopharmacol, 2008. PMID 18191355

Result not recorded
Design
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 2 months
Sample
n = 28
Population
Healthy older adults
Funding
not stated in the PubMed or Crossref record; full text not read.

Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Puttarak P, Dilokthornsakul P, Saokaew S. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Sci Rep, 2017. PMID 28878245

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 RCTs (5 of C. asiatica alone, 6 of combination products)
Population
Mostly healthy volunteers (91% of studies); one trial in children with a diagnosis
Funding
Thai Traditional Medical Knowledge Fund

Search and history

Search (): "centella asiatica"[ti] AND (cognit*[tiab] OR memory[tiab] OR mood[tiab] OR anxiety[tiab]) AND (meta-analysis[pt] OR systematic review[pt])

  • Graded C (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
  • C to C (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page