Centella Asiatica, Collagen Density, and MMP-1: A Review of Photoaging and Skin Repair Evidence
Downloads
Centella asiatica is a medicinal plant widely investigated for dermatological and cosmeceutical applications, particularly in wound healing, anti-aging, collagen remodeling, and protection against ultraviolet-induced skin damage. This review analyzes recent studies published between 2021 and 2025, focusing on the relationship between Centella asiatica, collagen density, collagen synthesis, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), a major collagen-degrading enzyme involved in skin photoaging. The reviewed evidence shows that C. asiatica and its major triterpenoid compounds—including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid—support dermal matrix preservation through antioxidant activity, fibroblast stimulation, increased collagen production, and downregulation of matrix-degrading enzymes. Direct in vivo evidence indicates that topical C. asiatica cream may improve collagen density and influence MMP-1 expression in UVB-exposed skin. Additional studies using fibroblast models, nanoformulations, wound healing systems, and clinical skin-aging preparations support its role in improving collagen biosynthesis and skin structural recovery. However, the evidence remains heterogeneous, as many studies evaluate collagen markers or general MMP activity rather than MMP-1 specifically. Future research should prioritize standardized extracts, direct measurement of MMP-1, collagen type I/III expression, collagen density, and well-controlled human trials.
Arribas-López, E., Zand, N., Ojo, O., Snowden, M. J., & Kochhar, T. (2022). A systematic review of the effect of Centella asiatica on wound healing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3266. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063266
Bandopadhyay, S., Mandal, S., Ghorai, M., Jha, N. K., Kumar, M., Radha, null, Ghosh, A., Pro?ków, J., Perez de la Lastra, J. M., & Dey, A. (2023). Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 27(5), 593–608.
Buranasudja, V., Rani, D., Malla, A., Kobtrakul, K., & Vimolmangkang, S. (2021). Insights into antioxidant activities and anti-skin-aging potential of callus extract from Centella asiatica (L.). Scientific Reports, 11, 13459. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92958-7
Chavoshnejad, P., Foroughi, A. H., Dhandapani, N., German, G. K., & Razavi, M. J. (2021). Effect of collagen degradation on the mechanical behavior and wrinkling of skin. Physical Review E, 104(3), 34406.
Dang, Y.-Y., Liu, T., Liu, Y.-D., Li, J.-Y., Jing, Y., Yang, M.-J., Zhang, H., Jiang, M.-M., Wu, H.-H., Yang, W.-Z., Li, N., & Zhang, P. (2024). Anti-photoaging activity of triterpenoids isolated from Centella asiatica. Phytochemistry, 228, 114246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114246
Handayani, R., Febriyenti, R. M., Muhaimin, M., & Chaerunisaa, A. Y. (2025). Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. in skin health and cosmeceuticals: Mechanisms, clinical evidence, and advanced delivery systems. Pharmacia, 72, e167217. https://doi.org/10.3897/pharmacia.72.e167217
Jiang, F., Tohgasaki, T., Kami, M., Sanuki, R., Nakata, Y., Kondo, S., & Chen, X. (2025). Influence of aging on dermal elastin fiber architecture and skin firmness assessed by finite element modeling. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 28598.
Kumar, M., Kumar, D., Mahmood, S., Singh, V., Chopra, S., Hilles, A. R., & Bhatia, A. (2024). Nanotechnology-driven wound healing potential of asiaticoside: A comprehensive review. RSC Pharmaceutics, 1, 9–36. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PM00024A
Lapmanee, S., Bunwatcharaphansakun, P., Bhubhanil, S., et al. (2025). Transfersomal delivery of Centella asiatica promotes efficient excision wound healing in rats. Drug Delivery, 32(1), 2563649. https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2025.2563649
Lim, J., Lee, H., Hong, S., Lee, J., & Kim, Y. (2024). Comparison of the antioxidant potency of four triterpenes of Centella asiatica against oxidative stress. Antioxidants, 13(4), 483. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040483
Narisepalli, S., Salunkhe, S. A., Chitkara, D., & Mittal, A. (2023). Asiaticoside polymeric nanoparticles for effective diabetic wound healing through increased collagen biosynthesis: In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 631, 122508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122508
Poomanee, W., Yaowiwat, N., Pattarachaidecharuch, T., & Leelapornpisid, P. (2023). Optimized multiherbal combination and in vivo anti-skin aging potential: A randomized double blind placebo controlled study. Scientific Reports, 13, 5633. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32738-7
Purmawanti, L., Darsono, F. L., Dewi, A. P. S., & Mintaroem, K. (2025). Effect of cream Centella asiatica extract on MMP-1 expression and collagen density in UVB-induced BALB/c mice. MEDISAINS, 23(1), 19–24. https://doi.org/10.30595/medisains.v23i1.25443
Retnaningtyas, E., Susatia, B., Khotimah, H., Rudijanto, A., Abousouh, A. A. A., & Setiawan, A. (2024). Centella asiatica transfersomes and bergamot essential oil nanoemulsion combined in gel exhibited anti-photoaging effects on UVB-radiated BALB/c mice. Journal of King Saud University – Science, 36, 103207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2024.103207
Thong-on, W., Sakchaisri, K., & Prathanturarug, S. (2024). The effects of glycoside-rich green extract from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban on wound healing and anti-aging activity. Phytomedicine Plus, 4(4), 100628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100628
Wang, L., Yang, Y., Han, W., & Ding, H. (2024). Novel design and development of Centella asiatica extract-loaded poloxamer/ZnO nanocomposite wound closure material to improve anti-bacterial action and enhanced wound healing efficacy in diabetic foot ulcer. Regenerative Therapy, 27, 92–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reth.2024.03.006
Witkowska, K., Paczkowska-Walendowska, M., Garbiec, E., & Cielecka-Piontek, J. (2024). Topical application of Centella asiatica in wound healing: Recent insights into mechanisms and clinical efficacy. Pharmaceutics, 16(10), 1252. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16101252
Xiao, F., Li, Q., Zeng, W., Tang, B., Chen, Q., Wu, C., Duan, Z., Chen, H., Rui, S., & Liu, B. (2025). Centella asiatica enhances diabetic wound healing by decreasing macrophage-driven inflammation via the AKT/MAPK/NF-?B pathway. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 16, 1632573. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1632573
Copyright (c) 2026 Valentinus Ferdian Cipta, Agus Eka Darwinata, Bagus Komang Satriyasa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-SA). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
