Centella asiatica and Its Effects on Mice with Multiple Sclerosis
Author Information
Author(s): Payel Kundu, Kanon Yasuhara, Brandes Mikah S., Jonathan A. Zweig, Cody J. Neff, Sarah Holden, Kat Kessler, Steven Matsumoto, Halina Offner, Carin S. Waslo, Arthur Vandenbark, Amala Soumyanath, Larry S. Sherman, Jacob Raber, Nora E. Gray, Rebecca I. Spain, Angel Josabad Alonso-Castro, Chung-Yi Chen
Primary Institution: Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
Hypothesis
Does Centella asiatica improve neuropsychiatric symptoms, antioxidant gene expression, and mitochondrial respiration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models of multiple sclerosis?
Conclusion
Centella asiatica increased antioxidant gene expression and mitochondrial respiration in mice with EAE but did not improve behavioral performance or clinical disability.
Supporting Evidence
- CAW-treated mice showed increased ARE gene expression compared to placebo.
- CAW treatment improved mitochondrial respiratory activity in EAE mice.
- Reduced inflammatory infiltrates were observed in the spinal cords of CAW-treated mice.
Takeaway
This study tested a plant called Centella asiatica on mice with a disease similar to multiple sclerosis and found it helped some biological functions but didn't make the mice behave better.
Methodology
C57BL/6J mice with EAE were treated with a water extract of Centella asiatica or placebo for 2 weeks, and various outcomes were measured.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the lack of blinding in behavioral assessments.
Limitations
The study had differences in treatment durations and used a single dose of CAW, limiting the evaluation of dose-dependent effects.
Participant Demographics
C57BL/6J mice, both male and female, aged 8-12 weeks.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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