title: Centella asiatica Attenuates Diabetes Induced Hippocampal Changes in Experimental Diabetic Rats.
abstract: Diabetes mellitus has been reported to affect functions of the hippocampus. We hypothesized that Centella asiatica, a herb traditionally being used to improve memory, prevents diabetes-related hippocampal dysfunction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of C. asiatica on the hippocampus in diabetes. Methods. Streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced adult male diabetic rats received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day body weight (b.w) C. asiatica leaf aqueous extract for four consecutive weeks. Following sacrifice, hippocampus was removed and hippocampal tissue homogenates were analyzed for Na(+)/K(+)-, Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-ATPases activity levels. Levels of the markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor, TNF-α; interleukin, IL-6; and interleukin, IL-1β) and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation product: LPO, superoxide dismutase: SOD, catalase: CAT, and glutathione peroxidase: GPx) were determined. The hippocampal sections were visualized for histopathological changes. Results. Administration of C. asiatica leaf aqueous extract to diabetic rats maintained near normal ATPases activity levels and prevents the increase in the levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus. Lesser signs of histopathological changes were observed in the hippocampus of C. asiatica leaf aqueous extract treated diabetic rats. Conclusions. C. asiatica leaf protects the hippocampus against diabetes-induced dysfunction which could help to preserve memory in this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nelli
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1263-103X
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giribabu
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, University Road, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Nelli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Srinivasarao
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India.
authors.forename: Somesula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swapna Rekha
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sekaran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muniandy
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Naguib
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4926-0490
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salleh