Primary Author: S. Karpagam Kumara Sundari¹

           Additional Authors: A. Mohamed Rassa², B. S. Harishni³, Sindhu Ramesh⁴, ManojGovindarajulu⁴, Timothy Moore⁴, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran⁴

1. Dept. of Pharmacology, Periyar College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tiruchirappalli - 620 021, Tamilnadu, India.

2. Surya School of Pharmacy, Surya Group of Institutions, Vikravandi, Villupuram – 605 652, Tamilnadu, India.

3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, CSI College of Dental Sciences and Research, Madurai - 625 001, Tamilnadu, India.

4. Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn

University, AL 36849, USA.

Abstract:

Centella asiatica is a medicinally valuable natural product which has been used throughout the world to treat various peripheral and central disorders (lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, diarrhea, fever, amenorrhea, anxiety leprosy, and cognitive impairment).  Our previous study has shown Centella asiatica to improve cognition in a double transgenic (PSAPP) animal model of Alzheimer’s disease.  Hyperglycemic and reduced repetitive neuronal firing (decreased action potential) has shown to induce significant cognitive impairment. However, the neuroprotective effects of Centella asiatica against cognitive impairment induced by hyperglycemia and reduced repetitive neuronal firing is not well studied. Hence in this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects on Centella asiatica in a valid (hyperglycemia and reduced repetitive neuronal firing) animal model.  Hyperglycemia and reduced repetitive neuronal firing-based animal model (Swiss albino mice) was induced by treating with Alloxan monohydrate (150mg/kg, i.p) and Phenytoin sodium (20mg/kg, p.o).  Centella asiatica extract (200mg/kg, p.o) was administered to control and Alloxan + Phenytoin treated rats.  Behavioral studies associated with cognition (short and long-term memory) were elucidated using elevated plus maze, Y maze, Hebb’s William maze, and passive avoidance paradigm.  Various parameters measured were transfer latency, blind passages leaving, acquisition score, and negative reinforcement.  Alloxan + Phenytoin induced significant cognitive impairment.  Effectively, Centella asiatica extract (200mg/kg, p.o) significantly exhibited neuroprotection against hyperglycemia and reduced repetitive neuronal firing in rodents.  Our future, studies will elucidate the neuroprotective mechanisms associated with the hyperglycemia and reduced repetitive neuronal firing - induced neurotoxic effects.

Key words: Centella asiatica, Neuroprotective effects, Cognitive impairment