Cited by 28Plant biochemistry and biosynthesisNatural product bioactivities and synthesisPlant tissue culture and regeneration

Biosynthesis and bioactivities of triterpenoids from Centella asiatica: Challenges and opportunities

Zeng, Weizhu, Li, Hongbiao, Liu, Shike, Luo, Zhengshan, Chen, Jian, Zhou, Jingwen·2025·Biotechnology Advances

Abstract

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is an herbaceous perennial plant that has long been widely used in traditional medicine, due to its diverse wound-healing, neuroprotection, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The major functional bioactive secondary metabolites are the triterpenoids asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside, collectively known as centellosides. Current extraction methods for C. asiatica are unable to meet market demand for extracts and pure functional components. Biotechnological approaches based on synthetic biology and microbial cell factories are a promising alternative. This review summarises the major secondary metabolites and their biological activities, and the biosynthetic pathway of functional triterpenoids in C. asiatica. Biotechnological production of centellosides is also described, including in vitro plant cultures and construction of microbial cell factories. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives for sustainable production of centellosides are discussed, and guidelines for future engineering are proposed.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108541

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Authors
Zeng, W., Li, H., Liu, S., Luo, Z., Chen, J., & Zhou, J.
Affiliations
Jiangnan University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Chen, Jian
  • Zhou, Jingwen
Venue
Biotechnology Advances
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-05
Volume
80
Pages
108541
ISSN
0734-9750 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4407682507
Cited by
27
References
162
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 12
FWCI
2.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Biotechnology Advances (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32021005)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (22408126)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Natural product bioactivities and synthesis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Plant tissue culture and regeneration
Keywords
Centella asiatica, triterpenoids, centellosides, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, madecassoside, biosynthetic pathway, secondary metabolites, wound healing, neuroprotection, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, microbial cell factories, synthetic biology, plant tissue culture, sustainable production
MeSH terms
Biotechnology, Humans, Plant Extracts, Triterpenes, Centella

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