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Nanoscale copper oxide (CuO NPs) with diameters in the 80–150 nm range has been biosynthesized using lipopeptide biosurfactant derived from Bacillus vallismortis and characterized by XRD and FE-SEM. The CuO NPs could be introduced as nanocarrier systems for combination therapy and a potential candidate for antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-diabetic activity. The antibacterial activity of CuO NPs was studied by incorporating the nanoparticles with fluorescent antibiotic Ciprofloxacin HCL (CIP) to form CIP@CuO NPs and tracked inside HEK-293 cell lines. The MIC values of CIP@CuO NPs against 1 × 106 CFU ml−1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined to be 76 µg ml−1and 69 µg ml−1 against 1 × 106 CFU ml−1 Staphylococcus aureus. The CuO NPs were conjugated with the anticancer drug Doxorubicin (DOX) to form DOX@CuONPs, improving delivery toward cancer (HeLa) cells. The intracellular uptake of the drug-loaded CuO NPs was confirmed from confocal micrographs. Finally, the in vitro anti-diabetic activity of lipopeptide-coated CuO NPs was confirmed by the inhibitory activity of α-amylase. In contrast, the in vivo anti-diabetic efficacy of CuO NPs was validated by a significant reduction in blood glucose and glutathione levels. The CuO NPs positively affected the histopathological changes of the pancreas in induced diabetic mice. Cytotoxicity testing with Zebrafish demonstrated abnormal organ development with varying viability and hatching rates at 72 and 96 hpf, with an LC50 of 45 µg/l. Aside from the various potential medicinal characteristics, the study provided valuable information on cytotoxic impact, which can be used in future investigations of their eco-toxicological impacts.

World-wide researches during the last years are focused upon the negative effects caused by the natural chemical compounds and anthropogenic compounds, already being demonstrated that a great part of them change the endocrine control over reproduction at different species. The issue studied by our team is concerned with the histological changes that appear within liver, kidney and gonadal development at the zebra fish (Danio rerio), exposed to octylphenol from 21-115 days, and within 21-75 days of life. In order to achieve the histological preparations, for each period under study, fishes were divided into three groups of 30 individuals, namely: Lot 1 - Control, respectively lots 2 and 3, at which the administrated octylphenol concentrations were of 60 μg L-1, respectively 100 μg L-1. Fishes of the six groups were raised in 30-liters aquariums (30 fish / aquarium). Fragments of liver, kidney and gonads were processed histologically, colored with the Mallory thrichromic staining method and examined with the optical microscope. Histopathological study revealed changes in the three organs, namely this fine granulation hepatocytes, peritubular edema and vascular ectasia in renal parenchyma and their differentiation in the gonads to sex predominantly female, issues that demonstrate the estrogenic effect of the octylphenol. Those microscopical aspects observed in the kidney and liver of the specimens exposed to action of octhylphenol, suggest that the octhlyphenol is bind to the estrogenic receptors on the membrane of hepatic cells, inducing vitellogenin synthesis.

The presence of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizer-328 (UV-328) in different biological and natural systems is of fast, regular concern in recent days due to their exuberant use in sunscreens. To learn more about its role of oxidative damage in the gills and to uncover the protective nature of DiMC, we evaluated its sublethal toxicity in Zebra fish gill tissue and also evaluated the potential defensive role of Dimethoxy curcumin (DiMC). Grown-up Zebra fish were exposed to 55 µg/L of UV-328 and 50mg/kg of DiMC for four weeks. After the completion of 28 days, gill tissues were dissected out and assessed for their response to oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes status, and histopathological changes. Our results demonstrated that antioxidant such as glutathione (GSH) levels and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and Glutathione S-transferase (GST) were all diminished in the gill tissue along with the profound increase in lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) in the UV-328-treated group. Histopathological lesions, for instance, inflammatory cell infiltration with a minimal congestion in primary lamellae, diffuse epithelial hyperplasia and fusion of secondary lamellae, multifocal mucus cell hyperplasia were seen in the UV-328-treated gill tissue of Zebra fish. The UV-328-induced oxidative, biochemical, and histological alterations were almost reverted back to normal in the DiMC enhanced group, suggesting its remediative efficacy against UV-328-induced respirotoxicity. Based on our findings, exposure to UV328, even at a low level, could be toxic, causing oxidative stress, antioxidant depletion, and pathological gill damage in Zebra fish. And these alterations were almost recuperated in DiMC supplemented group which signifies its protective influence against UV-328 toxicity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the bestseller book "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers", Robert Sapolsky argues that animals do not suffer from stress-related diseases like humans because for them, stress is episodic, while humans in contrast suffer from chronic psychological stress. In particular, the idea that fish cannot experience psychological stress is still prevalent, partly due to the lack of a homologous brain area to the neocortex. However, emerging evidence suggests that teleosts can undergo psychological stress, defined as a subjective and perceptual experience of the stressor, and in recent years, the underlying mechanisms started to be unveiled., Summary: The occurrence of cognitive appraisal in the assessment of stressors has been demonstrated in fish, indicating that the subjective evaluation of stimulus valence and salience, rather than absolute intrinsic characteristics of the stimulus itself, play a key role in the activation of the stress response. Moreover, individual biases (i.e., cognitive bias) in the cognitive appraisal of stimuli have also been described in fish, with some individuals consistently evaluating ambiguous stimuli as positive (aka optimists) whereas other individuals (aka pessimists) appraise them as negative. As a result, optimists and pessimists show consistent differences in stress reactivity and susceptibility/resilience to disease. Finally, social context has also been shown to modulate the response to aversive stimuli with the behavior of conspecifics either buffering or enhancing the response (i.e., social buffering vs. social contagion)., Key Messages: Cognitive appraisal of stressors occurs in fish, implying that the stress response is modulated by a subjective and perceptual experience of the stressor. Moreover, interindividual consistent cognitive biases in the appraisal of stressors are also present in fish making some individuals more susceptible to stress-related diseases. Therefore, psychological stress has a health toll in fish, and psychologically stressed fish can potentially have ulcers., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Momordica charantia is well known for its medicinal properties. It has exhibited various pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Although this plant is used worldwide as a vegetable and medicinal ingredient in herbal medicines, its toxicity studies have not been conducted to date. This study attempts to understand its toxicity. The present study examined the activity of two enzymes, acetylcholinesterase and succinate dehydrogenase, as well as histopathological variations in the liver, intestine, and gills of zebrafish. The results of the acetylcholinesterase assay showed that the concentrations of 40 mg/L and 60 mg/L of the four extracts (leaf and fruit extracts of both varieties) exhibited increased enzyme activity. Interestingly, the leaves of the green fruit variety at a concentration of 60 mg/L showed the highest activity, with a value of 2.824 ± 0.0682 micromoles/min compared to the control value of 1.8347 ± 0.0046 micromoles/min. On the other hand, the succinate dehydrogenase assay revealed that the concentrations of 40 mg/L and 60 mg/L of the extracts decreased the enzyme activity. The highest inhibition was observed in the concentration of 60 mg/L of the leaves of the white-fruited variety and the green-fruited variety, with values of 1.884 ± 0.0482 micromoles/min compared to the control value of 2.747 ± 0.0046 micromoles/min. The studies on histopathological changes also demonstrated abnormalities in the brain, liver, intestine, and gills of zebrafish after the exposure to the extracts of M. charantia . The severity of the damage varied from low to high concentraions. In general, this study sheds light on the safety profile of Momordica charantia and highlights its potential toxicity in animal models. The findings suggest that more research is needed to fully understand the toxicity of this plant and its implications for human use., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report on the present study., (Copyright © 2024 Jobi Xavier et al.)

Momordica charantia is well known for its medicinal properties. It has exhibited various pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Although this plant is used worldwide as a vegetable and medicinal ingredient in herbal medicines, its toxicity studies have not been conducted to date. This study attempts to understand its toxicity. The present study examined the activity of two enzymes, acetylcholinesterase and succinate dehydrogenase, as well as histopathological variations in the liver, intestine, and gills of zebrafish. The results of the acetylcholinesterase assay showed that the concentrations of 40 mg/L and 60 mg/L of the four extracts (leaf and fruit extracts of both varieties) exhibited increased enzyme activity. Interestingly, the leaves of the green fruit variety at a concentration of 60 mg/L showed the highest activity, with a value of 2.824 ± 0.0682 micromoles/min compared to the control value of 1.8347 ± 0.0046 micromoles/min. On the other hand, the succinate dehydrogenase assay revealed that the concentrations of 40 mg/L and 60 mg/L of the extracts decreased the enzyme activity. The highest inhibition was observed in the concentration of 60 mg/L of the leaves of the white-fruited variety and the green-fruited variety, with values of 1.884 ± 0.0482 micromoles/min compared to the control value of 2.747 ± 0.0046 micromoles/min. The studies on histopathological changes also demonstrated abnormalities in the brain, liver, intestine, and gills of zebrafish after the exposure to the extracts of M. charantia. The severity of the damage varied from low to high concentraions. In general, this study sheds light on the safety profile of Momordica charantia and highlights its potential toxicity in animal models. The findings suggest that more research is needed to fully understand the toxicity of this plant and its implications for human use.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of different levels of thyme, Zataria multiflora (n growth performance, body chemical composition and resistance to environmental stressors such as temperature and acidity in zebra fish, Danio rerio. 480 Fish with an average weight of 0.33 ± 0.08 g were distributed in 12 tanks and fed by four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets including replacement levels of 0, 1, 1.5 and 2% thyme powder (T0, T1%, T1.5% and T2% respectively). After 10 weeks, growth performance, survival and body proximate composition, were determined, then 10 fish per tank were taken for environmental resistance and 10 fish per tank for the body composition analysis. According to the results, the highest final weight, weight gain, body weight increase, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were obtained in T2% (p < 0.05), while the lowest feed conversion ratio in T2%. It was also true for the highest survival rates which were also found in T2% but not significant (p>0.05). Differences among treatments in survival rate against acidity and temperatures were also not significant (p>0.05). Significant difference between treatments were observed in body composition including moisture, protein, fat and ash (p

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, is present in many food products and beverages worldwide. It has been linked to potential neurotoxicity and developmental defects. However, its teratogenic effect on embryonic development and the underlying potential mechanisms need to be elucidated. We investigated the concentration- and time-dependent effects of aspartame on zebrafish development and teratogenicity. We focused on the role of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and Forkhead-box transcription factor (FOXO), two proteins that play key roles in neurodevelopment. It was found that aspartame exposure reduced the formation of larvae and the development of cartilage in zebrafish. It also delayed post-fertilization development by altering the head length and locomotor behavior of zebrafish. RNA-sequencing-based DEG analysis showed that SIRT1 and FOXO3a are involved in neurodevelopment. In silico and in vitro analyses showed that aspartame could target and reduce the expression of SIRT1 and FOXO3a proteins in neuron cells. Additionally, aspartame triggered the reduction of autophagy flux by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of SIRT1 in neuronal cells. The findings suggest that aspartame can cause developmental defects and teratogenicity in zebrafish embryos and reduce autophagy by impairing the SIRT1/FOXO3a axis in neuron cells.

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, is present in many food products and beverages worldwide. It has been linked to potential neurotoxicity and developmental defects. However, its teratogenic effect on embryonic development and the underlying potential mechanisms need to be elucidated. We investigated the concentration- and time-dependent effects of aspartame on zebrafish development and teratogenicity. We focused on the role of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and Forkhead-box transcription factor (FOXO), two proteins that play key roles in neurodevelopment. It was found that aspartame exposure reduced the formation of larvae and the development of cartilage in zebrafish. It also delayed post-fertilization development by altering the head length and locomotor behavior of zebrafish. RNA-sequencing-based DEG analysis showed that SIRT1 and FOXO3a are involved in neurodevelopment. In silico and in vitro analyses showed that aspartame could target and reduce the expression of SIRT1 and FOXO3a proteins in neuron cells. Additionally, aspartame triggered the reduction of autophagy flux by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of SIRT1 in neuronal cells. The findings suggest that aspartame can cause developmental defects and teratogenicity in zebrafish embryos and reduce autophagy by impairing the SIRT1/FOXO3a axis in neuron cells.

In recent years one of the most striking results of over-population and consumption activities in the world is the rapid increase in environmental pollutants. Environmental pollutants, one of the harmful consequences of technological and modern life, threaten the health of people and other living organisms. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of sodium omadine (NaOM) on superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) activity as an antioxidant and on 8-OHdG levels as oxidative DNA damage in zebrafish. Zebrafish, obtained from the aquarium fish producer, were stocked in experimental aquariums to ensure their adaptation period to the experimental conditions 15 days before the experiment. The fish were exposed to 1 ug/L and 5 ug/L concentrations of NaOM for 24, 72, and 96 h. SOD enzyme activity (U/100 mg tissue) and 8-OHdG (pg/100 mg tissue) were measured using commercial kits. The statistically significant differences in tissue SOD levels and data for DNA damage between the groups were determined as time and dose-dependent ( p  < 0.05). Biocidal products are environmental pollutants that cause changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, especially in non-target organisms. Marine pollution and the degradation of ecosystems directly affect people, and the results of the study offer awareness of health problems, environmental pollution, and marine pollution.

Selenium and zinc are important dietary micronutrients having antimicrobial and antioxidant roles, thereby assisting in normal development, and an enhanced immune system. Supplementation of selenium and zinc for enhancing the growth performance and reproductive capacity in fish was explored in this study. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) using a 10-h dry milling technique at a 10:1 ball-to-powder ratio (BPR) and were premixed with basal feed followed by the administration to adult zebra fish (D. rerio) (2 months old) for 30 days. Growth analysis revealed that zebra fish fed with SeNPs + ZnONPs (2 mg/ kg, equimolar mixture) had significantly higher length and weight than only SeNP (2 mg/ kg) or ZnONP (2 mg/ kg) groups and control zebra fish (p < 0.05). The average length–weight relationships were assessed by estimating the condition factor (C), which was highest in the SeNP + ZnONP group (1.96), followed by a downward trend in SeNP (C = 1.15) and ZnONP (1.11) (p < 0.05). Relative gene expression of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 was significantly high in the SeNP + ZnONP group compared to other groups (p < 0.05), which indicated that combined administration of both the nanoparticles in basal feed enhanced the growth performance of zebra fish. Intracellular ROS generation was low in the combined group, followed by control, SeNP, and ZnONP groups, indicating higher concentrations of both nanoparticles, in particular, ZnONPs induced oxidative stress. Fecundity and the development of fertilized embryos were significantly high in the SeNP + ZnONP–treated zebra fish compared to only the SeNP- or ZnONP-treated group or control (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that supplementation of SeNP + ZnONP in basal feed could considerably improve the growth performance and development of zebra fish which could be exploited for enhancing aquaculture production.

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is potentially harmful to the aquatic environment. POME contains high organic material including COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) TTS (Total Suspended Solid) and various type of heavy metals. of zebra fish (Danio rerio). Reproductin has an important role in producing new individuals which directly affect the population. Impaired reproductive performance potentially impairs juvenile production optimization. The present study investigated how sub-chronic toxicity of POME impact the reproductive performance used Completely randomized Design (CRD) in three treatments and four replicates based on value of LC50-96 hours (5.156 ml/l): Control (0 ml/L), treatment A 10% POME (0,5 ml/L), treatment B 20 % POME (1 ml/L). The fecundity, relative fecundity, GSI, and egg diameter were analyzed. Data was analyzed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and followed with Least Significance Difference (LSD) test. Results showed that fecundity in treatment A (149 ± 38.70) and treatment B (85± 11.35) were significantly decreased compared to the control (219 ± 42.38) (P

Animal models have provided invaluable information in biological evaluation and drug screening. It comes to predicting the human body's response to candidate drugs; traditional laboratory animal models are woefully inadequate. However, increased concern for the welfare of the animals used, and a growing awareness of the concept of animal rights, has brought a greater focus on the related ethical issues. In this review, we seek to summarize the important anatomical aspects of Zebra fish as it is used as an alternative animal model for drug screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is part of a complex study of our research collective that studies the toxic effect of the ethinylestradiolum, and some of the polyethoxylated alkylphenols on the growth and reproduction of the Zebra fish (Danio rerio) and of the common Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Our study aim was to evaluate the effect of octylphenol on growth and survival of zebra fish, from 21-115 days, and within 21-75 days of life. For this purpose, for each period under study, fishes were divided into three groups of 30 individuals, named: Lot 1 - Control, respectively lots 2 and 3, at which the administrated octylphenol concentrations were of 60 μg L-1, respectively 100 μg L-1. Fishes of the six groups were raised in 30-liters aquariums (30 fish / aquarium). The growth was measured by weighing and biometric measurements (total length, standard length, the length of the head, maximal height, minimal height and the mass of the body), while the surviving rate was established at the end of every period and at the end of the experiment, when we were able to calculate the total number of dead fish. Biometric study of the analysis performed in 75 days, 115 days respectively shows that octylphenol has negative influence on body development, and survival both, the highest percentage of mortality (46,66%) was registered at 100 μgL-1 concentration, between 21 -75 days.

Unravelling the efficacy of gut biome has a major impact on health. An unbalanced microbiome composition is linked to many common illnesses such as gut dysbiosis, mental deformities and immunological imbalance. An optimistic influence on the gut biome can be made by consuming probiotics. This would stimulate neuroprotection and immunomodulation intended by heavy metals pollution. Lead is a major source of neurotoxin that can induce neural deformities. Lactobacillus species isolated from curd were characterized to confirm its specificity. Zebra fish was reared at standard conditions and preclinical assessment on the intensity of induced neurotoxin lead was performed. The embryo toxic assay, immunomodulation effects and animal behavioural models endorsed the consequence of neurotoxicity. Different concentrations of bacterial isolate with standard antidepressant was considered for analysing the vigour of toxicity and its influence on cognitive behaviour by novel tank diving method. The restrain in the animal behaviour was also conferred by all the test samples with a decreased bottom dwelling time which was authenticated with haematology and histopathological studies. The alterations in morphology of the lymphocytes were balanced by the treated test samples. This study paves a twofold potential of probiotic as neuroprotectant and immune modulator against heavy metal toxicity.

The widest-spectrum, most-consumed β-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX) is used to treat bovine mastitis that is caused primarily by many bacteria. Excessive use of antibiotics can lead to established residual contamination of the milk even after pasteurization. The amount of antibiotic residue above Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) has a negative impact on both public health and the environment. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the concentration of amoxicillin residue (AMXR) in raw and pasteurized milk samples of cow suffered from mastitis, by the standard methods of HPLC compared to pure AMX drug and effect of the said residue on the developmental toxicity and genotoxicity of zebra fish at 72 hpf and 48 hpf embryo, respectively. Results obtained by HPLC showed that AMXR exhibits 574.89 and 250.75 times higher concentration in the raw and pasteurized milk than MRL in compare to pure AMX drug. This current study showed that AMXR decreased the body length and yolk sac region, while the pure AMX drug-treated group showed increased height and length of the yolk sac and shorter body length relative to the other groups. The Comet Assay measured the DNA damage caused by AMXR. The group where AMXR were applied showed the highest percentage of tail DNA and tail moment relative to other groups. So, here AMXR is considered as the genotoxic contaminant that is emerging and affect on public health.

Present study was conducted to investigate the effects of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) essential oil on the intestine and liver tissues of zebra fish. Essential oil was added to the diet in two concentrations (500 and 1000 mg/kg) and at the end of the experiment (8 weeks) histological studies were performed. The results showed that villus height and width, absorption surface area of the intestinal mucous membrane surface, diameters of hepatocyte and their nucleus in the fish that fed with the essential oils were higher than control treatment, while the crypt depth decreased compared with the control. In fish grown with diet containing 1000 mg/kg, the number of goblet cells increased compared with control group, while in fish fed with the lower concentrations, the number of them was lower. Despite the observed changes in the measured parameters just the diameters of the hepatocytes in fish fed with diets containing 1000 mg/kg essential oils showed a significant difference and the size of these cells was larger than other treatments. In general, due to the increase in the absorption surface area and decrease in the number of goblet cells in fish fed with diet containing 500 mg/kg essential oil it seems that the use of low concentrations of essential oils can improve the histological characteristics of the digestive tract.