Centelloside — TECA Complex (Triterpene Saponin · Venous Insufficiency · Wound Healing · Cica)
| Compound | Centellosides (Centelloside Complex) |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Pentacyclic Triterpene Acids and Saponins (Ursane skeleton) |
| CAS | Various (collective term) |
| Primary source | Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola / Pennywort / Mandukaparni) |
| Key applications | Venous insufficiency, wound healing, cognitive function, skin anti-ageing — as collective TECA marker |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica): defined ratio of asiaticoside + madecassoside + asiatic acid + madecassic acid |
| Buy from Herbuno |
Name origin: Centellosides (also written as centelloside) is the collective term for the principal bioactive triterpene constituents of Centella asiatica — encompassing both the saponin glycosides (asiaticoside, madecassoside) and their free aglycone acids (asiatic acid, madecassic acid). The TECA specification (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica) is the most clinically validated formulation of centellosides. Traditional use and research trajectory: Identical to asiaticoside and madecassoside above — the centelloside complex represents the complete bioactive triterpene complement of Centella asiatica that has been clinically validated as a whole across wound healing, venous insufficiency, and cognitive function RCTs. The collective centellosides have European phytomedicine status and a long regulatory history. Commercial source: Pennywort/Centella asiatica Extract Powder and Gotu Kola Liquid Extract from Herbuno. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Centelloside Applications
Venous insufficiency — multiple RCTs with TECA: TECA (60–120 mg/day total centellosides) has been evaluated in multiple European human RCTs for chronic venous insufficiency, showing significant reductions in leg oedema, heaviness, pain, and improvements in venous wall tone. The combination of saponins and free acids has superior venous tonicity effects versus individual constituents. European phytomedicine regulatory status. Claim strength: Moderate.
Wound healing and collagen synthesis: The centelloside combination (asiaticoside + asiatic acid) has synergistic collagen synthesis stimulation via TGF-β/Smad pathway. Human clinical trials of topical TECA for wound healing, scar management, and post-surgical healing confirm efficacy across multiple independent research groups. Claim strength: Moderate.
Cognitive function: Human RCTs with standardised Centella extract show improvements in memory, attention, and mood in healthy adults. A 2016 human RCT (Tiwari et al.) showed significant cognitive improvements in healthy elderly subjects after 8 weeks of Centella extract supplementation. Claim strength: Moderate.
Skin anti-ageing (topical): The centelloside complex’s combined collagen-stimulating (asiaticoside) and anti-inflammatory (madecassoside) activities provide dual anti-ageing benefit — increasing skin firmness and reducing age-related inflammatory skin changes. Human clinical data for topical anti-ageing Centella formulations are available from multiple cosmeceutical studies. Claim strength: Moderate.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
The gold standard specification for centellosides is the TECA quaternity: asiaticoside 40% + madecassoside 30% + asiatic acid 20% + madecassic acid 10% = 100% total centellosides. Clinical oral dose: 60–120 mg/day total centellosides (TECA standard). Topical clinical dose: 1% TECA cream. For Herbuno’s Centella asiatica extract products, request HPLC characterisation confirming individual centelloside fractions. For TECA-equivalent claims, the extract must be characterised and confirmed as meeting TECA compositional ratios or clearly described as “Centella asiatica total triterpenoid extract” without TECA-specific claims if ratios differ.
Note: “Centelloside” as a standalone term is sometimes used loosely to refer to any single Centella triterpene — most commonly asiaticoside. In supplement marketing, clarify whether “centelloside” refers to (a) the complete TECA complex, (b) asiaticoside specifically, or (c) total triterpenes. The TECA complex specification is the most clinically validated and commercially defensible approach.
Frequently Asked Questions — Centellosides
Why is the complete TECA complex more effective than individual centelloside compounds?
Human and animal studies comparing TECA versus isolated asiaticoside or isolated madecassoside consistently show the combination is more effective than individual components for wound healing and venous insufficiency. The saponin glycosides (asiaticoside, madecassoside) improve water solubility and bioavailability of the triterpenoid class; the free acids (asiatic acid, madecassic acid) have greater cell membrane permeability. The four-component combination delivers the full pharmacological spectrum — collagen stimulation, anti-inflammation, venous tonicity, and antioxidant protection — with each fraction contributing complementary activity.
What is the difference between “centelloside” and TECA on a supplement label?
TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica) is a specific regulatory and commercial specification — a defined 40:30:20:10 ratio of the four principal triterpenes. “Centelloside” is a less specific term that may refer to the total triterpene extract (equivalent to TECA) or to asiaticoside specifically, depending on the manufacturer and market. For regulatory compliance and label accuracy, specify the individual centelloside composition or explicitly state the total triterpenoid content as verified by HPLC.
Can centellosides from Centella be used alongside retinol for anti-ageing?
Yes — this is a commercially established combination in premium anti-ageing skincare. Retinol stimulates epidermal cell turnover and collagen gene expression. Centellosides (asiaticoside) provide independent collagen synthesis stimulation and (madecassoside) reduce retinol-associated skin irritation and redness. The anti-irritant activity of madecassoside specifically makes Centella extract a useful pairing with active cosmeceuticals like retinol, AHAs, and vitamin C that can cause irritation at effective concentrations.
Is Centella asiatica extract the same as “tiger grass”?
Yes — “tiger grass” is a popular marketing name for Centella asiatica in K-beauty, derived from the legend that tigers in Asia rolled in Centella asiatica to heal their wounds. The botanical material is the same as Gotu Kola, Pennywort, and Mandukaparni. Tiger grass is purely a brand-differentiation term used primarily in Korean cosmetic marketing; it does not indicate a different variety, extract specification, or standardisation from standard Centella asiatica preparations.
Related compounds: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Bacoside A, Oleanolic Acid
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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