Centella asiatica L. Phytosome Improves Cognitive Performance by Promoting Bdnf Expression in Rat Prefrontal Cortex

Nutrients. 2020 Jan 29;12(2):355. doi: 10.3390/nu12020355.

Abstract

A wide range of people in the world use natural remedies as primary approaches against illnesses. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms of action of phytochemicals has become of great interest. In this context, Centella asiatica L. is extensively used, not only as anti-inflammatory or antioxidant agent but also as brain tonic. On this basis, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the chronic administration of C. asiatica L. to adult male rats was able to improve the expression of Bdnf, one of the main mediators of brain plasticity. Moreover, we assessed whether the treatment could affect the cognitive performance in the novel object recognition (NOR) test. We confirmed the presence of the main compounds in the plasma. Furthermore, C. asiatica L. administration induced an increase of Bdnf in the prefrontal cortex, and the administration of the higher dose of the extract was able to improve cognitive performance. Finally, the increase in the preference index in the NOR test was paralleled by a further increase in Bdnf expression. Overall, we highlight the ability of C. asiatica L. to affect brain functions by increasing Bdnf expression and by enhancing the cognitive performance.

Keywords: Bdnf; C. asiatica L.; NOR test.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Differentiation / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation / metabolism
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism*
  • Centella / chemistry*
  • Cognition / drug effects*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts
  • Prefrontal Cortex / drug effects*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Triterpenes / blood
  • Triterpenes / metabolism
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Bdnf protein, rat
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Centella asiatica extract
  • Gadd45b protein, rat
  • Npas4 protein, rat
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Triterpenes