Evaluation of relationship between the <italic>Centella asiatica</italic> (Linn) fresh leaf extract induced spatial learning and memory enhancement and increased body weight gain in neonatal and adult rats

Abstract

Centella asiatica (CeA) is a plant which grows in damp places in India and other Asian Countries. In Ayurvedic system of medicine, an alternative system of medicine practised mainly in India, leaves of CeA are used along with some other herbs as medhya drugs for memory enhancement and as promoter of strength and digestive power. In the present study, we have tried to establish the relation ship between the two of the properties of this plant. That is, spatial learning and memory enhancing property and its effect on overall body weight growth in neonatal and adult rats. The present study was conducted in neonatal (7day old) and adult (2.5 month old) rats. Both the groups of rats were fed with 2, 4 and 6ml/kg body of fresh leaf extract of CeA for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. During the treatment period the body weight of rats were noted at the end of every week. The body weight gained by the rats was compared with the spatial learning and memory enhancing effects of CeA on these rats reported earlier. The results showed a dose and duration dependent significance increase in the body weight gain in rats treated with CeA. This increase in the body weight was seen only in those groups were there was significant increase in spatial learning performance and enhanced memory retention power. This indicates that, there is a relationship between the spatial learning and memory enhancing effect of CeA and the body weight gain in rats.