Effects of Centella asiatica Administration on NT-3 and CDKN2A Levels in Adult Rat Brains

Aims: This study aims to determine at the effect of Centella asiatica L. (CA) on Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) brain level and Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) brain level of rats aged 12, 24 and 36 weeks.

Study Design: Experimental studies used rats aged 12, 24, and 36 months which were treated with CA extract 300 mg/BW was administered orally for 29 days in a row as described in previous study. In addition, untreated rats aged 12, 24, and 36 months were used as negative controls.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry and Biology Molecular, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia.

Methodology: NT-3 and CDKN2A brain levels were measured using the ELISA method.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease in NT-3 levels in rats aged 36 weeks that were given CA compared to control rats (Sidak multiple comparison test; P = .0493). In addition, the CDKN2A levels of CA-treated rats aged 36 weeks that were compared to control rats (Sidak multiple comparison test, P = .0041).

Conclusion: This study proved that giving CA 300mg/kgBW for 29 days in adult rats aged 36 weeks has not been able to prevent aging in terms of NT-3 and CDKN2A proteins.