Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of centella asiatica on streptozotocin induced memory dysfunction in adult zebrafish

Abstract

Streptozotocin (STZ) causes learning and memory impairment in adult zebrafish by causing the disturbance in glucose and energy metabolism of the brain. Hydro-alcoholic extract of centella asiatica (HA-CA) has been demonstrated to improve cognitive functions due to its antioxidant property. In this study, adult zebrafish (approx 3 months old, weight range from 470–530 mg) was subjected to the STZ administration (300 mg/kg; i.p) followed by drug treatment with HA-CA (10 and 20 μg/mL) before 24 h of STZ administration followed by blood glucose level measurement, behavioral parameters (light and dark test and T-maze test) and biochemical parameters (protein estimation, LPO and AChEs activity). Exposure to STZ in adult zebrafish showed significant alterations in behavioural and biochemical analysis. In the light-dark test STZ treated zebrafish shown their preference in dark compartment as compared to normal group and in T-maze test STZ treated zebrafish has shown more time spent in the unfavorable zone with an increase in total latency (TL) as compared to the normal group. However, drug administration with CA (10 and 20 μg/mL) significantly improved the memory deficits in both light and dark test and T-maze test as compared to the STZ treated group which indicated improved memory function with a significant decrease in oxidative stress level (decrease LPO) and AChEs activity. HA- CA markedly improved memory functions in adult zebrafish due to its anti-oxidant potential.

Keywords

• Vascular dementia
• Streptozotocin
• Zebrafish
• T-maze
• Acetylcholinesterase activity
• Centella asiatica