Standardized Extract from the Gotu Kola Leaves Improves Suicidal Behavior in Stressed Rats Subjected to Social Isolation
Prasad Arvind Thakurdesai1*
, Savita Raju Nimse1, Padmaja Santosh Kore2 and Urmila Manoj Aswar3
1Department of Scientific Affairs, Indus Biotech Limited, Pune, India.
2Department of Pharmacology, Modern College of Pharmacy, Nigdi, Pune, India.
3Department of Pharmacology, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India.
Corresponding Author E-mail: prasad@indusbiotech.com
Abstract: The leaves of Centella asiatica L. Urban (C. asiatica) and their bioactive compounds, triterpenoids asiaticoside (AS) and madecassoside (MA), are effective in reducing psychological stress and associated behavioral disorders in the conducted in vivo research. The present study evaluated AS+MA-based standardized C. asiatica leaves extract (INDCA) on SIS-induced suicidal behavior-related traits in laboratory rats. Male rats (n=6) were randomized, grouped, and individually caged for seven days for stress induction. For the next seven days (D7 to D14), rats were orally administered vehicle (stress control), positive control (fluoxetine, 30 mg/kg), and or INDCA (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) once a day. A separate group of rats without isolation stress (normal rats) was maintained. The scores for suicidal behavior-related traits, such as aggression, impulsivity, irritability, learned helplessness, and plasma cortisol, were measured after 14-day treatment. The stress control group showed a significant increase in aggression, irritability (total score), learned helplessness (escape latency, escape failure, and recovery attempts), and plasma cortisol levels, which confirmed suicidal behavior-related traits. The INDCA-treated rats showed a dose-dependent reduction in stress-induced behavioral traits and elevated plasma cortisol levels. In conclusion, subacute administration of INDCA showed amelioration of suicidal behavior in social-isolation-induced stress in laboratory rats and suggested a promising natural and safe option for the management of stress-induced behavioral disorders, including suicidal behavior.
Keywords: Cortisol; Gotu kola leaves; Social Isolation; Stress Disorders; Suicidal Ideation Back to TOC