Hydroalcoholic extract of Centella asiatica and madecassic acid reverse depressive-like behaviors, inflammation and oxidative stress in adult rats submitted to stress in early life

Abstract

Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe disorder that causes enormous loss of quality of life, and among the factors underlying MDD is stress in maternal deprivation (MD). In addition, classic pharmacotherapy has presented severe adverse effects. Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) demonstrates potential neuroprotective but has not yet been evaluated in MD models. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. asiaticaextract and the active compound madecassic acid on possible depressive-like behavior, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the hippocampus and serum of young rats submitted to MD in the first days of life. Method: Rats (after the first day of birth) were separated from the mother for three hours a day for ten days. These animals, when adults, were divided into groups and submitted to treatment for 14 days. After the animals were submitted to protocols of locomotor activity in the open field and behavioral despair in the forced swimming test, they were then euthanized. The hippocampus and serum were collected and analyzed for the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative markers. Results: The C. asiatica extract and active compound reversed or reduced depressive-like behaviors, inflammation in the hippocampus, and oxidative stress in serum and hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that C. asiatica and madecassic acid have potential antidepressant action, at least partially, through an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile.