Development of cadmium-induced zebrafish larvae improved by Centella asiatica

Environmental pollution by cadmium (Cd) has increased along with the development of industry in the world. The spread cadmium will make bioaccumulation in the food chain that makes heavy metals easier to enter bodies which will trigger an increase in ROS and compensated in the form of disruption of growth and development. The embryogenesis stage is a phase that’s very susceptible to toxic materials because it will affect hatching rate, mortality, body length and risk of malformation in Zebrafish larvae. Long-term and low-dose of Cd exposure affect cognitive, motoric and anxiety disorders in rats given by Cd 0-10 µM. The purpose of this study was to prove the effect of Centella asiatica (CA) in preventing cadmium intoxication in zebrafish larvae. The subjects of this research were divided to 5 groups: Control, Cadmium, Cadmium and CA extract 1.25 µg/mL, Cadmium and CA extract 2.5 µg/mL and Cadmium and CA extract 5 µg/mL, respectively. The exposure od cadmium dan Ca extract were given at 2 - 72 hpf, and medium change daily. The hatching, mortality rate, body length, heart rate, locomotor activity and ossification were observed in this research. The results showed that the exposure of cadmium caused delay hatching and increased mortality in zebrafih embryos. Administration of 5 µg/ml ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica increased survival rate, reduced delayed hatching, reduced heart rate, increased body length and increased locomotor activity. It could be concluded that CA extract protect structure and function of developing stage of Cd-induced zebrafish larvae.