Author
Professor Dr. Suhaila Mohamed, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, 43400 Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor D.E., Malaysia
Proceeding
1st International Conference & Exhibition on Women’s Health & Asian Traditional (WHAT) Medicine
Date
23/8/2005
Keyword
Centella asiatica, Hypercholesterolaemia, cholestrol, cardiovascular, renal damages
Abstract
The efficacy of Centella asiatica, pennywort or pegaga on hypercholesterolaemic diet induced cardiovascular, hepatic and renal effects in animals will be presented. Centella asiatica appeared to increase Craetinine Kinase activity and ATP production, hence increase the metabolic rates of animals as observed from their hyperactive behaviour, increased feed consumption, lower body weights and reduced fat accumulation in C. asiatica group animals. The weight reducing properties of C. asiatica were demonstrated. Significant differences (p<0.05) in liver weights were found in all groups, viz; in ascending order C. asiatica (14.9±1.1g), normal, control (16.6±0.5g), 1% cholesterol plus 10% C. asiatica diet (19.3±1.4g) and finally cholesterol (20.9±0.8g). Hypercholesterolaemia imparted excessive fat deposition of liver tissues of animals giving it a friable consistency. Liver tissues showed significantly lower (p<0.05) fat deposition in C. asiatica fed animals compared to the others. Animals on cholesterol diet had significantly (p<0.05) heavier kidney compared to those on C. asiatica diet. While the kidneys of animals in the normal, control and C. asiatica groups were within normal limits, degenerative changes in the renal tubules and glomeruli of animals in the cholesterol and 1% cholesterol plus 10% C. asiatica diet groups albeit being more severe in the former. Epithelisation was only observed in kidneys of animals fed 1% cholesterol plus 10% C. asiatica diet suggesting the ability of C. asiatica to stimulate regeneration in response to cholesterol induced-damage. ALT, GGT, BUN, HDL and serum albumin levels were in the normal range. Animals fed 1% cholesterol plus 10% C. asiatica diet had significantly (P<0.05) lower BUN levels compared to C. asiatica animals, showing that the diuretic property of C. asiatica is enhanced by cholesterol. The serum albumin levels in animals on 1% cholesterol plus 10% C. asiatica diet were lower compared to those on cholesterol and C. asiatica diet. Interaction of cholesterol and C. asiatica appeared to increase glomerular filtration rate indicating the diuretic properties of C. asiatica. Other properties of C. asiatica will be discussed.
