Comparing Anti Aging Potential Between Centella asiatica and Acalypha indica: Focus on Forelimb Muscle Strength

Abstract

Decreasing muscle strength is one of the age-related declined. We evaluated the forelimb muscle strength of old rats treated with Centella asiatica (CA) and Acalypha indica (AI), both are known for anti inflammation, which made them potentials as anti aging. Sprague-Dawley rats (18 months old) were divided into the following groups: (1) receiving only solvent, (2) AI extract 250 mg/kgBW, (3) CA extract 300 mg/kgBW, and young group (3 months old) as control. Body weights were measured before and after treatment while the forelimb muscle strength was measured using handgrip test and muscles weight at the end of the study (one month). The time rats were able to hold on their grip was determined in seconds. All data were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD post hoc analysis. The solvent group achieved the shortest time in handgrip test, followed by AI and CA. The young group has the longest time as expected. The time last for the young (30,13 ± 5.98) and CA (29.47 ± 9.61) group were not statistically different (p = 0.873) while the young were significantly longer than AI (p = 0.038) and the old (p = 0.001). The old rats unsurprisingly loss their body weight but the CA group showed the least while the young still gained their weight. Meanwhile there were no muscle weight differences between groups. Centella asiatica may have anti aging activity by showing similar forelimb muscle strength in aged rats as the young, possibly due to its inhibition in age related body weight loss.