ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the pioneering work that was done by scientists in Madagascar first and then in France on Centella asiatica. In particular, the story of C. asiatica in Madagascar was published by C. Grimes and P. Boiteau in a document that is available only at the Malagasy Academy. Development of C. asiatica into the drug, Madecassol, was achieved by a renowned Malagasy scientist, Professor Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company, Laroche-Navarron Laboratories, in 1949. Thomas Rahandraha, chemical engineer by training, developed a chromatographic system for the analytical control of asiaticoside in view of the commercialization of Madecassol C. asiatica is ranked as the second medicinal plant of economic value in Madagascar in terms of the annual quantity exported. Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquees is the oldest research institute in Madagascar but is the leading institute in terms of research in medicinal and aromatic plants.
