The effect of Centella asiatica ethanolic extract on liver superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels of aged Sprague-Dawley rats

To overcome aging caused by the increased production of free radicals, cells have protective mechanisms through endogenous antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). SOD functions as a catalyst to convert free radical superoxide (*O₂) to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and oxygen (O₂). H₂O₂ is changed into H₂O by GSH with the help of glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The consumption of exogenous antioxidants from herbal plants has been passed for generations in Asian communities. One example of anti-aging medicines with herbal antioxidant properties is Centella asiatica (CA). The present study aimed to examine the effect of CA on SOD and GSH levels in a liver of aged Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We divided aged rats into three groups: negative control (placebo), positive control (6 IU vitamin E), and treated (CA ethanolic extract 300 mg/kg of body weight). We also used young SD rats as comparison control. The treatment lasted for 28 days before the termination and liver extraction for examination using spectrophotometry. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The results showed an increase in liver SOD in aged SD rats in the treated group (9.72±3.4 U/mg) compared to the aged SD rats in negative control (8.36±2.59 U/mg) and decrease in liver GSH level (29.025±6.410 µM/mg to 35.495±12.809 µM/mg). However, the two comparisons showed statistical insignificance. In conclusion, the CA ethanolic extract of 300mg/kgBW for 28 days did not affect the liver SOD and GSH levels in the aged SD rats.