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

Abstract

Background: Plant lectins has 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.

Anxiolytic-like effect of Suanzaoren–Wuweizi herb-pair and evidence for the involvement of the monoaminergic system in mice based on network pharmacology

“…The monoaminergic system [serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA)] in the brain has been postulated to play an important role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders [26][27][28]. Several preclinical and clinical reports provide evidence to support that a dysfunction of the monoaminergic system may be implicated in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders [26][27][28][29][30].…”

“…The monoaminergic system [serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA)] in the brain has been postulated to play an important role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders [26][27][28]. Several preclinical and clinical reports provide evidence to support that a dysfunction of the monoaminergic system may be implicated in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders [26][27][28][29][30]. Zhang et al [26] have shown that the modulation of the monoaminergic system forms the basis for the action of anxiolytic drugs, and this hypothesis provides a framework in which the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy for anxiety may congregate on the modulation of monoaminergic system.…”