Neuroprotective Effects of Centella asiatica Against AlCl3 and D-Galactose-Induced Astrocyte Activation and Hippocampal Neurodegeneration in Male Albino Wistar Rats Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) a neurodegenerative disorder is a leading cause of dementia in the elderly population. The concurrent dosing of rats with aluminium chloride (AlCl3) and D-galactose (D-gal) is regarded an effective approach for developing an animal model to study AD. Centella asiatica (CA) demonstrates neuroprotective effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This research investigated the protective effects of CA against neurodegeneration of the hippocampus and activation of astrocytes in rats treated with AlCl3 and D-gal. Materials and methods: Rats received AlCl3 at a dosage of 200 mg/kg body weight daily, D-gal at 60 mg/kg body weight daily, and CA at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight daily, in conjunction with donepezil at 1 mg/kg body weight daily, for a duration of 70 days. Following treatment, the brain tissue was fixed in 10% formalin for further histological analysis. Nissl staining was applied to examine the survival of CA2 neurons in the hippocampus, whereas Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP) was employed to assess active astrocytes in the CA2 hippocampal area. Results: The findings indicated that AlCl3 and D-gal could substantially harm the hippocampus CA2 pyramidal neurons in rats. Furthermore, it induced the activation of astrocytes in the rat hippocampus. Co-administration of CA at doses of 100mg, 200mg, and 300mg mitigated neurodegeneration and astrocyte activation in the hippocampus of the rats. Conclusion: The findings indicate that CA may safeguard against morphological changes induced by AlCl3 and D-gal in rats. Molecular investigations are under underway to clarify the potential effects of CA. KEYWORDS: AlCl3, D-galactose, Neurodegeneration, Astrocytes, Centella asiatica, Hippocampus.

authors

  • Vishnumukkala, Thirupathirao.
  • Ravindra Kumar Boddeti
  • Prarthana Kalerammana Gopalakrishna
  • Barani Karikalan
  • Saravanan Jagadeesan
  • Baharuldin, Mohamad Taufik Hidayat
  • Nurul Huda Mohd Nor
  • Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas

publication date

  • 2025

number of pages

  • 8

start page

  • 9118

end page

  • 9126

volume

  • 13

issue

  • 1

rank

  • 1