The effect of Centella asiatica L. Urban. and Curcuma longa L. extracts combination in improving memory performance in stroke model rats and its acute toxicity

  • Abdul Gofir Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital
  • Mawaddah Ar Rochmah Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital
  • Samekto Wibowo Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital
  • Mohammad Hakimi Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital
  • Mustofa Department of Pharmacology and Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Keywords: Centella asiatica L. Urban, Curcuma longa L., stroke, cognitive impairment, memory

Abstract

Post-stroke cognitive impairment involves memory, visuoconstructional, and

spatial dysfunctions. Centella asiatica L. Urban. and Curcuma longa L. are both

well-known herbs in South and South-East Asia countries that are believed to

possess neuroprotective properties as memory enhancers. This study aimed to

investigate the effects of C. asiatica L. Urban. and C. longa L. extracts combination

in improving memory performance in stroke model rats and its acute toxicity.

Twenty-five Wistar rats underwent transient bilateral common carotid artery

occlusion. Y-maze pre-test was performed 24 h after the occlusion. The rats were

then divided into five groups i.e. Group 1 received NaCMC dilution, Group 2

received donepezil 0. 7 mg/kg BW/day, and Groups 3, 4, and 5 received the extracts

combination with dose of 59; 118; and 236 mg/kg BW/day, respectively. Y-maze

post-test was performed 24 h after the last dose had been given. Spontaneous

alternation behavior was used as the indicator of working memory measurement.

The fixed-dose method according to OECD Guideline was used to estimate the

LD50 in acute toxicity testing on Wistar rats. There was a significant difference

in the delta spontaneous alternation percentage among groups tested (p<0. 05).

Group 1 had significant difference with any other group (compared to Groups

2 to 5; p<0.05). No significant difference could be found between groups of the

extracts combination and donepezil group suggesting that the effect is not more

inferior nor dose-dependent in improving memory performance. The extracts

combination at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg BW did not show related signs of

toxicity or mortality in any of the rats during the 14-day observation period. In

conclusion, the C. asiatica L. Urban. and C. longa L. extracts combination can

improve performance of memory on stroke model animal. According to Globally

Harmonized Classification System, the extracts combination can be classified as

Category 5/unclassified.

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Published
2021-06-21
Section
Articles