Improvement in Cognitive Parameters Among Offsprings Born to Alcohol Fed Female Wistar Rats Following Long Term Treatment with Centella Asiatica.

Prenatal ethanol exposure causes cognitive impairments in rats. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Centella Asiatica (CeA) in offspring of alcoholic rats. Pregnant rats in alcoholic group were orally fed with 30% alcohol at a dose of 5 g/kg body weight during their gestation period. Pregnant rats in control group were given water. Offspring from alcoholic group were divided into treated group and untreated group. Offspring in treated group were orally given whole plant aqueous extract of CeA at a dose of 20 ml/kg body weight. Offspring in control and untreated group were fed with water. Cognitive studies (Morris Water Maze, Passive avoidance test, Elevated Plus Maze) were started from 75th day of postnatal life. Treatment with CeA increases the learning capacity (P<0.05), spatial memory (P<0.05), memory retention (P<0.05) and decreases the anxiety (P<0.05) like behavior in offspring of alcoholic rats. The present study showed that treatment with CeA can improve cognitive functions in offspring of alcoholic mothers.