PEG-400 Nanoencapsulated Gotu Kola Leaf Extracts as an Alternative Treatment for Cognitive System Impairment: In-Vitro and In-Vivo Assays

Cognitive impairment, a debilitating condition affecting over 60 million elderly individuals globally, remains inadequately addressed by current pharmacological therapies due to limitations in bioavailability and blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. This study aimed to investigate PEG-400 nanoencapsulated Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) as a novel phytopharmacological intervention to enhance cognitive function in α-glycosidase-induced cognitive impairment models. Twenty male DDY strain mice (Mus musculus) were acclimatized, randomized into four groups (placebo, 1:1, 1:100, and 100:1 extract: PEG-400 ratios), and administered daily oral treatments for 10 days. Cognitive performance was evaluated using T-maze assays pre- and post-treatment, while inflammatory responses and acetylcholinesterase activity were quantified via TNF-α flow cytometry and Ellman’s assay, respectively. Advanced characterization techniques, including SEM-EDX and GC-MS, were employed to assess nanoparticle morphology and phytochemical composition. The 1:100 formulation demonstrated superior efficacy, reducing maze completion time by 1.44 ± 0.21 seconds (p < 0.05) and TNF-α levels by 19.9% compared to controls. SEM-EDX revealed homogeneous nanoparticles (5 - 7 nm, sphericity 0.8) with optimal BBB penetration potential, while GC-MS identified γ-sitosterol (7.22%) and β-sitosterol (7.22%) as primary bioactive constituents. Ellman’s assay confirmed 100% acetylcholinesterase inhibition for the 1:1 and 1:100 formulations, underscoring their neuroprotective potential. These findings position PEG-400 nanoencapsulated Centella asiatica as a promising candidate for mitigating age-related cognitive decline, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Keywords: