Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research
Vol. 8 No. 4 (2026): Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research

Ethanol Extract of Gotu Leaves (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) Increases PDGF Levels but Does Not Change TNF-α and Malondialdehyde in Wistar Rats in a Carrageenin-Induced Acute Inflammatory Model

Mira Mustika (Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Endy Juli Anto (Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Jekson Martiar Siahaan (Universitas Methodist Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Aug 2026

Abstract

Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies with NSAIDs and glucocorticoids are limited by gastrointestinal, renal, and metabolic side effects, thus encouraging the search for plant-based alternatives. Gotu kola leaves (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) are rich in triterpenoids and flavonoids which are reported to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities. This study aimed to analyze the effect of gotu kola leaf ethanol extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), malondialdehyde (MDA), and leg edema volume in male Wistar rats with carrageenan-induced acute inflammation model. Thirty rats were randomized into five groups (n=6): normal, negative control (carrageenan), positive control (carrageenan + sodium diclofenac), and two extract treatment groups of 2 g/kgBB and 4 g/kgBB orally. Edema was measured with a plethysmometer in the first minute and every hour for 4 hours; Serum TNF-α, PDGF, and MDA levels were measured by ELISA. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and LSD follow-up test (α=0.05). Screening for positive phytochemicals of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, glycosides, and steroids/triterpenoids. PDGF levels differed significantly between groups (p=0.001), highest in the 4 g/kgBB group (2.14±0.12 ng/mL) and lowest in the negative control (1.66±0.10 ng/mL). The volume of edema was significantly different at the beginning and 1st hour (p=0.001) but not at the 2nd to 4th hour. The levels of TNF-α (p=0.423) and MDA (p=0.072) were not significantly different. Ethanol extract of Centella asiatica leaves, especially at a dose of 4 g/kgBB, increased PDGF and decreased early-phase edema, showing modulation potential towards tissue repair, but had no significant effect on TNF-α and MDA in this acute model.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJGHR

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Subject

Description

Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research is a open access, peer reviewed and refereed international journal. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research aim to publish original research paper devoted to various area of all health sciences. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research provides a ...