Dioclea Altissima Seed Lectin (DAL) Prevents Anxiety-like Behavioral Responses
in Adult Zebrafish (Danio Rerio): Involvement of GABAergic and
5-HT Systems

João    Ronielly Campêlo    Araújo; Adriana    Rolim    Campos; Maria    Kueirislene Amâncio    Ferreira; Sacha    Aubrey Alves Rodrigues    Santos; Marina       de Barros Mamede Vidal Damasceno; Francisco    Ernani Alves    Magalhães; Renato       de Azevedo Moreira; Ana    Cristina    de Oliveira Monteiro-Moreira

Abstract

Background: Plant lectins have shown promising neuropharmacological activities in animal models.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of Dioclea altissima seed lectin (DAL) on adult zebrafish behavior.

Method: Zebrafish (n=6/group) were treated (i.p.; 20 μL) with DAL (0.025; 0.05 or 0.1 mg/mL), vehicle or diazepam (DZP) and submitted to several tests (open field, light/dark preference or novel tank). Flumazenil, pizotifen or granisetron were administered 15 min before DAL (0.05 mg/mL), and the animals were evaluated on light/dark preference test. It was also verified whether the DAL effect depended on its structural integrity and ability to interact with carbohydrates.

Results: DAL decreased the locomotor activity of adult zebrafish (0.025; 0.05 or 0.1 mg/mL), increased the time spent in the upper region of the aquarium (0.025 mg/mL), and decreased the latency time of adult zebrafish to enter the upper region on the novel tank test. DAL (0.05 mg/mL) also increased their permanence in the light zone of the light/dark preference test. The effect of DAL was dependent on carbohydrate interaction and protein structure integrity and was prevented by pizotifen, granizetron and flumazenil.

Conclusion: DAL was found to have an anxiolytic-like effect mediated by the 5-HT and GABAergic receptors.

Keywords: Dioclea altissima, lectin, neurobehavioral, anxiolytic-like, 5-HT receptors, GABAergic receptors.

Graphical Abstract

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Cite As

CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets

Dioclea Altissima Seed Lectin (DAL) Prevents Anxiety-like Behavioral Responses in Adult Zebrafish (Danio Rerio): Involvement of GABAergic and 5-HT Systems

Abstract

Graphical Abstract