Soedjono Aswin

Prenatal hypoxia–ischemia decreases spatial memory and increases aggression during adolescence

Prenatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a major cause of mortality and chronic neurological diseases in newborns. HI contributes to the emergence of several neurological disorders such as cognitive and behavioral deficits due to the atypical brain development. This study aimed at assessing the effects of prenatal HI on the spatial memory and aggression of rats during adolescence. Pregnant rats were divided into treatment and control groups. The rats of the treatment groups underwent unilateral ligation of the uterine artery on pregnancy day 7, 12, or 17. The offspring of these rats were tested for spatial memory and aggression when they reached 33 days of age. It has been found that the percentages of alternations in the Y-maze and the number of crossings in the Morris water maze tests of the HI groups were lower than those of the control groups. The total offense and defense aggression scores of the HI groups were higher than those of the control groups. In conclusion, the longer the duration of HI, the more deficits it causes in the spatial memory and aggression of rats during adolescence.

Ethanol Extracts of Centella asiatica Leaf Improves Memory Performance in Rats after Chronic Stress via Reducing Nitric Oxide and Increasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Concentration

Background: Centella asiatica is herbaceous plant that has medicinal value to improve learning and memory. Brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a significant role in memory formation process, while oxidative stress causes memory impairment. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica leaf on memory performance and serum BDNF (neurotrophins) and Nitric Oxide(NO) concentration of rats following chronic electrical stress. Materials and Methods : Twenty male rats (Sprague Dawley) were divided into four groups: control/aquadest group and groups treated with three different doses (mg/kg) of Centella asiatica :150 (CeA150), 300 (CeA300) and 600 (CeA600). Memory performance was tested using probe test in Morris Water Maze before and after oral administration of ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica leaf followed by electrical stress for 28 days. At the last day of memory exercise following chronic stress, blood sample was taken from periorbital veins of all rats. Concentration of serum BDNF and total NO was assessed using ELISA. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA. Results: Treatment groups had higher percentage in probe test water maze and serum BDNF concentration after chronic stress. Mean time percentage (%) of probe test in water maze performance for control group, CeA150, CeA300, and CeA600 were 53.33+2.43, 55.78+4.16, 63.33+4.07, and 73.55+3.29 (p<0.05). Mean concentration of serum BDNF (ng/ml) for control group, CeA150, CeA300, and CeA600 were 1.52+0.89, 1.49+0.20, 1.73+0.15, and 2.16+0.20 (p<0.05 vs control group). Control group had higher serum NO concentration compared to all treatments groups. Mean concentration of serum NO (μmol/L) for control group, CeA150, CeA300, and CeA600 were 5.94+0.52, 3.98+0.35, 3.06+0.33, and 2.82+0.21 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica leaf increases memory performance and serum BDNF concentration, and also decreases Nitric Oxide levels in rats after chronic stress. Keywordslearning and memory; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; nitric oxide; Centella asiatica.