Methods and compositions for nerve regeneration

A method of promoting nerve regeneration of at least one partially transected nerve of a peripheral nervous system of a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, any mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A method of increasing the rate of neurite elongation of at least one partially transected nerve of a peripheral nervous system of a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, any mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A method of increasing the rate of neurite elongation of at least one partially transected nerve of a peripheral nervous system of a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal at least one therapeutically-active extract fraction of Centella asiatica, wherein the extract of Centella asiatica includes at least about 0.5 dry wt. % of at least one of asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, any mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof based on the total weight of the extract.

A method of promoting nerve regeneration of at least one partially transected nerve of a peripheral nervous system of a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of Centella asiatica plant material in the form of a tablet or capsule, wherein the tablet or capsule includes at least one of asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, any mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A method of promoting nerve regeneration in a subject having diabetic neuropathy, comprising:

• selecting a subject having diabetic neuropathy and structural nerve damage;
• and
• administering to the selected subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that includes at least 0.5 dry weight % of at least one of asiatic acid, asiaticoside, or madecassic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A method of promoting nerve regeneration in a subject having structural nerve damage, comprising:

• selecting a subject having structural nerve damage;
• and
• administering to the selected subject a dosage of at least 10 mg/day of at least one of asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A method for making an extract fraction of Centella asiatica, comprising:

• extracting Centella asiatica plant material resulting in an extract residue;
• and
• successively fractionating the Centella asiatica extract residue with at least two eluants of increasing polarity.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one extract fraction of Centella asiatica, wherein the extract fraction comprises at least about 0.5 dry wt. % of nerve regeneration-active compounds, based on the total dry weight of the extract function.

A method for providing anti-oxidant neuroprotection in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that includes at least one therapeutically-active extract fraction of Centella asiatica.