Effect of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. extracts through expression of SIRT1 and Per2 on zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae insomnia model

Context: Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep or sleeping conditions that cannot adequately restore the body and mental state. However, insomnia therapy has not been satisfying for improving the condition. Several alternative therapy options for treating insomnia include Centella asiatica (CA). Many pathways lead to sleep regulation, including circadian rhythms and cellular reactions. Further research is necessary to treat insomnia through circadian rhythms by administering CA with observations on zebrafish models of insomnia. Aims: To evaluate the influence of CA extract administration on deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and period circadian regulator-2 (Per2) expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae in an insomnia model. Methods: A laboratory experimental study with a randomized control group post-test only was used, with a sample of D. rerio larvae insomnia model that was given treatment with CA ethanolic extract (2.5, 5, and 10 µg/mL). The D. rerio larvae were prepared for reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate SIRT1 and Per2 levels. Results: This study found a significant effect of CA ethanolic extract on the expression of SIRT1 (p=0.001), with CA extract 10 µg/mL elevating SIRT1 expression in the group of D. rerio larvae with the insomnia model. There was no significant effect of CA extract on Per2 expression in the group of D. rerio larvae with the insomnia model (p=0.051). Conclusions: Administration of CA extract at a concentration of 10 µg/mL can elevate the expression of SIRT1 and have no significant effect on Per2 expression in D. rerio larvae with insomnia model.