Standardized Centella Asiatica Increased Brain- Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Decreased Apoptosis of Dopaminergic Neuron in Rotenone- Induced Zebrafish

Rotenone is a pesticide that is widely used to kill insects and nuisance fish in lakes. Its used as Parkinson’s Disease (PD) model inducer. The mechanism of toxicity of rotenone is primarily mediated by its potential as mitochondrial complex I inhibition. Centella asiatica (CA) is known as neurotonic, but how its potential protection in Parkinsonism is still unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of CA to Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a neuroprotectant and apoptosis as hallmark of PD in rotenone-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio). Besides, we also measured the zebrafish motility and dopamine (DA) level in the brain. We used adult zebrafish (8 months). Its exposed to 5 g/L rotenone and co-incubated with methanolic extract of CA by several concentrations which are 2.5, 5 and 10 μg/mL for 28 days. Motility observed for 5 minutes at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Measurement DA by ELISA, BDNF and apoptosis by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that CA significantly (p<0.05) increased motility and dopamine level in all concentration of extract. Interestingly, BDNF expression in 5 and 10 μg/mL groups had no significantly difference to the control group. Concentration 10 μg/mL could protect dopaminergic neuron from rotenone toxicity due to significantly (p<0.05) decreased compare to rotenone group. Together, these data suggest that methanolic extract of CA could protect Parkinsonian syndrome conserved dopaminergic neuron through increasing BDNF as neurotrophic factor. Keywords—Centella asiatica; rotenone; Parkinson’s Disease; BDNF; apoptosis; zebrafish.