The effect of Acalypha indica L. root’s ethanolic extract on old male Sprague-Dawley rats’ malondialdehyde levels and cognitive function

Aging is physiological process characterized by degeneration of body functions and increased oxidative stress level. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is an oxidative stress marker which concentration will rise along with age. Increased level of MDA is associated with tissue aging and degeneration. In other hands, herbal plants are often used as an alternative medication, believed to contain many useful substances. Acalypha indica (AI) is one of the herbal plants that can be found in many regions of Indonesia, therefore AI can be used as a strategic alternative medication considering its availability. As of now, the relationship between AI extract consumption with aging and cognitive function is still unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of ethanolic AI root extract related to aging by measuring MDA level in brain tissue and long-term memory level using Y-maze. Total of 18 old male Sprague-Dawley rats (age 20 – 24 weeks) were divided into 3 groups, which are control group, AI group, and vitamin E group. An additional group consisted of 6 young Sprague-Dawley (age 8 – 12 weeks) rats were used as negative control. Treatment was given to respective group every day for 4 weeks. On the last day of the experiment, the rats were terminat, and their brains were collected to measure MDA level. The results of MDA level analysis were 3,776+1,083 nmol/L for control group, 3,695+0,3947 for AI group, 3,118+0,7845 nmol/L for vitamin E group, and 3,704+0,4624 nmol/L for young rats’ group without any significant difference (p=0,5220). The analysis result for weekly data (p=0,3692 for day 7 and p=0,8943 for day 28) and intergroup data (p=0,5000 for control group; p>0,9999 for AI group, vitamin E group, and young rats group) for long term memory also didn’t show any significant difference. From the results, it can be concluded that AI extract consumption is not able to decrease MDA levels and slow down cognitive decline.