Ethanolic extract of centella asiatica increased IGF-1 and IRS expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) rotenone-induced

Abstract

IRS (insulin receptor substrate) is responsible for signal transduction of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) for cell differentiation, proliferation, and anti-apoptosis. Centella asiatica (CA) contains triterpenes as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, macro and micronutrients. This study observed the effect of CA extract on the expression of IGF-1, IRS, and the linear growth of rotenone-induced zebrafish larvae. The zebrafish embryos were divided into five groups: control, Rotenone 12 ppb, Rotenone, and CA extract concentration 2.5, 5, and 10 μg/ml, respectively exposed from 2-hours post fertilization (hpf) until 3-days post-fertilization (dpf). The expression of IGF-1 and IRS were conducted at 9 dpf by immunehistochemistry whole-mount. The body length was measured at 3, 6, and 9 dpf using Image Raster software. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The results showed that the administration of CA extract could increase the expression of IGF-1 and IRS in rotenone-induced zebrafish larvae. The measurement of body length showed that rotenone reduced the body length of larvae after 6 dpf, and 5 μg/mL of CA extract significantly increased the body length at 6 and 9 dpf. It can be concluded that CA extract increased the body length of zebrafish larvae through the increasing of IGF-1 and IRS signaling.