A Systematic Review of the Efficacy ofCentella asiaticafor Improvement of the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

We aimed to assess the efficacy ofCentella asiaticafor improvement of the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). We searched 13 electronic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomised controlled trials assessing the efficacy ofCentella asiaticafor CVI. Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed the risks of bias of included studies and extracted data. The treatment effects of similar studies were pooled whenever appropriate. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooling of data of similar studies showed thatCentella asiaticasignificantly improved microcirculatory parameters such as transcutaneous partial pressure of CO2and O2, rate of ankle swelling and venoarteriolar response. Three out of the eight studies did not provide quantitative data. However, these studies reported that patients treated withCentella asiaticashowed significant improvement in CVI signs such as leg heaviness, pain and oedema. Our results show thatCentella asiaticamay be beneficial for improving signs and symptoms of CVI but this conclusion needs to be interpreted with caution as most of the studies were characterised by inadequate reporting and thus had unclear risks of bias, which may threaten the validity of the conclusions.