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Mild Cognitive ImpairmentPhase 1NCT05591027

Safety and Target Engagement of Centella Asiatica in Cognitive Impairment

A Phase 1 study testing Centella asiatica product in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease, run by Oregon Health and Science University at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This clinical trial is focused on determining whether biological signatures of target engagement by a Centella asiatica water extract product administered orally for 6 weeks can be measured in comparison to placebo. This study will also assess the safety and tolerability of the Centella asiatica water extract product. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 60 to 85 years
What is being tested?
Centella asiatica product
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
48 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Dec 2022to 31 Mar 2026
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 60 to 85 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 60-85, male and female
  • Sufficient English language skills to complete all tests
  • Sufficient vision and hearing to complete all tests
  • No known allergies to Centella asiatica
  • Absence of significant depression symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-15 score of < 5).
  • Total score of <2 on the suicidal ideation subscale (measures 3, 7, 11, 12 and 14) of the Geriatric Depression Scale.
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  • Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 17 and less than 35 at screening
  • General health status that will not interfere with the ability to complete the study
  • Willingness to discontinue all botanical dietary supplements for one week prior to and during the study.
  • Willingness to undertake multiple MRI scans
  • Meet the National Institute of Aging - Alzheimer's Association core clinical criteria for MCI or probable AD dementia with a Clinical Dementia Rating score of 0.5-1 and Mini Mental State Examination score of 20-28 at screening and baseline
  • Participants who report a history of participative memory decline with gradual onset and slow progression over the last one year before screening MUST be corroborated by an informant.
  • Participants on acetylcholinesterase inhibitor or memantine therapy for AD must be on a stable dose for at least 12 weeks prior to baseline visit.
  • Participants must have an identified caregiver/study partner that can accompany participant to all study visits.

Who cannot join

  • Current smoking, alcohol, or substance abuse according to DSM-V criteria
  • Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • Men who are actively trying to conceive a child or planning to within three months of study completion
  • Severe aversion to venipuncture
  • Abnormal labs indicating asymptomatic and untreated urinary tract infection
  • Cancer within the last five years, with the exception of localized prostate cancer (Gleason Grade < 3) and non-metastatic skin cancers
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  • Comorbid conditions such as type I diabetes mellitus, poorly controlled type II diabetes mellitus (HbA1c > 7%), kidney failure, liver failure, hepatitis, blood disorders, clinical symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, and unstable or significantly symptomatic cardiovascular disease
  • Significant disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) such as brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, cranial arteritis, or clinically significant stroke
  • Major depression, schizophrenia, or other major psychiatric disorder defined by DSM-V criteria
  • Medications: anti-epileptics, sedatives, amitriptyline, anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), investigational drugs used within five half-lives of baseline visit, systemic corticosteroids, neuroleptics, anti-Parkinsonian agents, narcotic analgesics, nicotine (tobacco, patches, gum, lozenges, etc.), Cannabis sativa (herb or edibles), beta blockers and anti-depressant medications that have not been at stable dosage for two months (including SSRIs, SNRIs)
  • Non-Alzheimer dementia such as vascular dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or Parkinson's disease
  • MMSE score of < 20 or > 28
  • Unwilling to maintain stable dosage of AD medications throughout study duration
  • Unwilling to maintain stable dosage of intervention throughout the course of the study
  • Contraindications to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) scans (some metal implants, pacemakers, claustrophobia)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Amala Soumyanath, PhD contact

503-494-6878

soumyana@ohsu.edu

Lucy Allison, MS contact

503-418-8197

allisolu@ohsu.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Oregon Health & Science University

    Portland, Oregon, 97239

    Amala Soumyanath, PhD, 503-494-6878, soumyana@ohsu.edu

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

This clinical trial is focused on determining whether biological signatures of target engagement by a Centella asiatica water extract product administered orally for 6 weeks can be measured in comparison to placebo. This study will also assess the safety and tolerability of the Centella asiatica water extract product.

Read the detailed description

This Phase I study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of 48 participants to evaluate safety, tolerability, and biological signatures of target engagement of brain neuronal viability, oxidative stress, and brain mitochondrial activity of a Centella asiatica water extract product (CAP) in older adults aged 60-85 years with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The intervention is taken orally daily for six weeks and pre and post assessments will be collected.

Being tested
Centella asiatica product, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction, Alzheimer Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Centella asiatica productDrug

    Also called CAP

    A sachet of powdered product containing 4 g of a dried hot water extract of Centella asiatica as the active ingredient, combined with inactive ingredients (excipients) for color and taste dissolved in 10 oz of warm or room temperature water and consumed orally.

  • PlaceboDrug

    A sachet of powdered inactive ingredients (excipients) for color and taste identical in volume to those found in the active arm (CAP) dissolved in 10 oz of warm or room temperature water and consumed orally.

Study groups in NCT05591027
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Centella asiatica water extract product (CAP) 4gExperimentalA sachet of containing 4g dried hot water extract (CAW) of Centella asiatica combined with inactive ingredients (excipients) will be dissolved in water and orally consumed daily as a drink for six weeks. Assessments will be collected at baseline and after six weeks of daily intervention.
Receives: Drug: Centella asiatica product
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorA sachet of inactive ingredients (excipients) identical in composition to those found in the active arm will be be dissolved in water and orally consumed daily for six weeks. Assessments will be collected at baseline and after six weeks of daily intervention.
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from baseline in brain N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to creatine (Cr) metabolite ratio (NAA/Cr) after 6 weeks on intervention.

    N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) metabolite ratio (NAA/Cr) in the brain determined through 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging of a single brain slice as an indicator of neuronal viability and mitochondrial activity.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes (10)
  1. Change from baseline in urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8 OHdG)/creatinine ratio after 6 weeks on intervention.

    Ratio of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8 OHdG) to creatinine in urine, as a measure of oxidative stress as determined by means of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  2. Change from baseline in plasma 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) after 6 weeks on intervention.

    A peripheral venous sample will be collected. Levels of plasma 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine will be determined by means of the 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine enzyme linked immunosorbent assay as a measure of oxidative stress.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  3. Adverse events (AE) arising during, and up to 4 weeks after, 6 weeks on intervention.

    A standard multi-system questionnaire will record the type and severity (range 0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe, 4 = life-threatening, 5 = fatal) of any adverse events. The Investigators will evaluate any changes in symptoms from baseline, and consider alternative clinical explanations, to determine if the changes are adverse events attributable to the study intervention. The investigators will determine the proportion of participants who report each type of adverse event following administration of CAP compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks and 10 weeks

  4. Oral temperature measured at study visits.

    Oral temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius by means of a thermometer. Temperatures falling outside the normal range (33.2-38.2 degrees Celsius) will be compared to baseline levels, and alternative clinical explanations considered, in order to determine if they are attributable to the study intervention. The investigators will determine the proportion of all participants who develop changes in temperature following administration of CAP compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  5. Pulse rate measured at study visits.

    Pulse rate will be measured peripherally over one minute. Pulse rates falling outside the normal range (60-80 beats per minute) will be compared to baseline levels, and alternative clinical explanations considered, in order to determine if they are attributable to the study intervention. The investigators will determine the proportion of all participants who develop changes in pulse rate following administration of CAP compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  6. Change from baseline in seated blood pressure after 6 weeks on intervention.

    Seated blood pressure will be measured in millimeters mercury. Blood pressure readings falling outside the normal range (90-130/60-80 millimeters Mercury) will be compared to baseline levels, and alternative clinical explanations considered, in order to determine if they are attributable to the study intervention. The investigators will determine the proportion of all participants who develop changes in blood pressure following administration of CAP compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  7. Change from baseline in body mass index after 6 weeks on intervention.

    Height in centimeters and weight in kilograms will be measured and aggregated to measure body mass index in kilograms per meter squared (kg/m2). Changes in body mass index greater than two kilograms per meter squared from baseline levels, along with consideration of alternative clinical explanations, will be used to determine attribution to the study intervention. The investigators will determine the proportion of all participants who develop changes in body mass index of greater than two units (kilograms per meter squared) following administration of CAP compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  8. Change from baseline in electrocardiography signals after 6 weeks on intervention.

    Resting electrocardiography will be measured for up to five minutes using a five lead mobile electrocardiogram. Changes in P wave shape or length, QRS complex shape or length, and QT interval from baseline will be measured, and alternative clinical explanations considered, in order to determine if any changes are attributable to the study intervention. The investigators will determine the proportion of all participants who develop changes in electrocardiography from baseline following CAP administration compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  9. Change from baseline liver function after 6 weeks on intervention.

    A comprehensive metabolic panel will measure alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in units per liter as markers of liver function. Enzyme levels falling outside the normal range (0-35 Units per liter for alanine aminotransferase and 17-59 Units per liter for aspartate aminotransferase) will be compared to baseline levels, and alternative clinical explanations considered, in order to determine if elevations are attributable to the study intervention. The investigators will aggregate the measures by using an elevation in either enzyme function as a reflection of overall liver function. The investigators will determine the proportion of all participants who develop abnormal laboratory values following administration of CAP compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

  10. Change from baseline in kidney function after 6 weeks on intervention.

    A comprehensive metabolic panel will measure creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in milligrams per deciliter as markers of kidney function. Each parameter falling outside the normal range ( 0.5 to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter for creatinine and 7 to 20 milligrams per deciliter for blood urea nitrogen), will be compared to baseline values and alternative clinical explanations considered, in order to determine if elevations are attributable to the study intervention. The investigators will aggregate the measures by using an elevation in either blood urea nitrogen or creatinine as a reflection of overall kidney function. The investigators will determine the proportion of all participants who develop abnormal laboratory values following administration of CAP compared to placebo.

    Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Oct 2022
  2. Study start1 Dec 2022
  3. Primary completion30 Nov 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Mar 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
48 participants will be randomized to receive either Centella asiatica water extract product (CAP) or placebo treatment. Participants will be stratified by sex so that CAP and placebo arms have equal numbers of each sex.
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
48 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05591027
Sponsor's protocol ID
17767
Status last verified
Apr 2025
First submitted
16 Oct 2022
Last updated
11 Apr 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: There is no plan to release individual participant data.

Publications

  • Wright KM, McFerrin J, Alcazar Magana A, Roberts J, Caruso M, Kretzschmar D, Stevens JF, Maier CS, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. Developing a Rational, Optimized Product of Centella asiatica for Examination in Clinical Trials: Real World Challenges. Front Nutr. 2022 Jan 14;8:799137. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.799137. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 35096945
  • Wright KM, Bollen M, David J, Speers AB, Brandes MS, Gray NE, Alcazar Magana A, McClure C, Stevens JF, Maier CS, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Key Components of a Standardized Centella asiatica Product in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Phase 1, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Jan 23;11(2):215. doi: 10.3390/antiox11020215.

    PubMed 35204098

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Centella asiatica product in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease, run by Oregon Health and Science University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Amala Soumyanath, PhD (503-494-6878, soumyana@ohsu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from baseline in brain N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to creatine (Cr) metabolite ratio (NAA/Cr) after 6 weeks on intervention. (time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05591027, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Apr 2025.

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