Radioprotection of Swiss albino mouse by Centella asiatica extract

Abstract

Centella asiatica, has a considerable reputation in the Indian system of medicine. It is a rasayan (general tonic), brain tonic, improves memory and strengthens the CNS. In view of its multifarious uses, the plant extract was tested for its radioprotective properties. A sublethal dose of Co 60 gamma radiation, i.e. 8 Gy was selected for the purpose. Animals were divided into two groups. The whole bodies were irradiated with Co 60 gamma radiation externally, with and without drug extract. The drug extract was given orally at different doses and for different time intervals. The dose that was most effective against radiation was 100 mg/kg body weight. This dose increased the survival time of the mice significantly. Body weight loss of the animals in the drug treated group was significantly less in comparison with the animals that were given radiation only. The causes and mechanism of protection and other aspects need further investigations.

Effect ofCentella asiatica on arsenic induced oxidative stress and metal distribution in rats

“…The doses for arsenic and Centella asiatica were selected on the basis of previously published studies (Gupta et al, 2003;Kumar and Gupta, 2002;Sharma and Sharma, 2002).…”

Botanical Pharmacognosy of Centella asiatica (Linn.)Urban

“…These findings endorse that the plant having multiple therapeutic potentials, which were amply and vividly demonstrated by different animal models such as wound-healing model in rat, [10][11] streptozocin-induced Alzheimeir's model 12 , zebrafish Parkinson's model, 13 adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy model, 14 nitroglycerine and bradykinin induced hyperalgesia (migraine) model, 15 radiationinduced dermatitis model, memory impairment induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion 16 and also having anxiolytic, 17 neuronal dendritic growth and nerve stimulating effects, 18 suppression of scars in diabetic patients, 19 and reverse mutation assay for non-toxicity, safety and nonmutagenicity of the extract, 20 protection of healthy cells against radiationinduced damages. 21 However, the botanical standards specified for evaluation of intact plant material of Centella asiatica in literature [22][23][24][25] seemed to be too scanty and not exhaustive enough to extricate the crude raw materials from the adulterants and substitutes. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with the objectives of elaborating the morphological and histological characteristics of the root, stem, stolon, lamina, and epidermal peel, mid vein, petioles and powder microscopy of the Centella asiatica using the techniques of digital, polarizing and stereo microscopy.…”

Enhancement of Bleomycin Sensitivity in Human Lung Cancer Cell Line using <i>Centella asiatica</i> Leaf Extract

“…The documented applications of C. asiatica in radioprotection or during radiotherapy also include advantageous psychological effects such as positive behavioural changes [17]. C. asiatica extracts were also shown to be advantageous (at 100 mg/kg body weight) in increasing the survival and minimizing body weight loss in Swiss albino mice exposed to Cobalt-60 (60Co) gamma radiation at a sublethal dose of 8 Gy [18].…”