Madecassic Acid
Also known as Madecassic Acid, Brahmic Acid, Centella asiatica triterpene aglycone, 2alpha,3beta,6beta,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid
“No regulator has issued a verdict on this ingredient.”
Madecassic Acid is a pentacyclic ursane-type triterpenoid aglycone isolated from Centella asiatica and the deglycosylated form of madecassoside. Published studies confirm anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties; in vitro work at 0–50 µM showed cytoprotective effects without reported toxicity (PMID 27728894). No standalone CIR safety assessment exists for Madecassic Acid as a cosmetic ingredient: direct inspection of the CIR Quick Reference Table (QRT-122017revised072018.pdf) confirms it is absent from the alphabetical M-section, placing it in the same not-assessed status as its glycoside form madecassoside.
Anti-inflammatory: established wound-healing and anti-inflammatory agent; inhibits inflammatory pathways in multiple cell types
Antioxidant/cytoprotective: significantly reduces oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in microvascular endothelial cells
Collagen synthesis: stimulates maturation of scar tissue via type I collagen production; supports skin barrier and wound healing
Anticancer potential: evaluated for cell viability inhibition and apoptosis induction in melanoma models as a chemopreventive triterpenoid
- · Contact dermatitis has been documented with topical madecassol preparations containing related Centella asiatica triterpenes; sensitization potential at higher concentrations warrants evaluation
No CIR cosmetic safety assessment on record for Madecassic Acid as an isolated ingredient; the 2015 CIR Centella asiatica group report (IJT) covers 9 whole-plant extracts and cell cultures, not isolated triterpene aglycones