Assessment of anti-inflammatory effect of 5β-hydroxypalisadin B isolated from red seaweed Laurencia snackeyi in zebrafish embryo in vivo model
Introduction
Inflammation is a highly regulated biological process that enables the immune system to efficiently remove the injurious stimuli and initiate the healing process (Masresha et al., 2012). The inflammatory symptoms result from the action of inflammatory agents such as bradykinin, histamine, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide, which can originate locally or from cells that infiltrate in the sight of insult (Mequanint et al., 2011). Although inflammation is a defense mechanism, the complex events and mediators involved in the prolonged inflammation can induce various diseases and disorders. Hence, the employment of anti-inflammatory agents may be useful in the therapeutic treatment of those pathologies associated with inflammatory reactions (Yonathan et al., 2006).
Secondary metabolites play an important ecological role in marine organisms. Isolation and characterization of such marine natural products may facilitate the investigation of bioactive metabolites in order to development of the pharmaceutical agents. In contrast, the development of marine organisms-derived compounds into functional ingredients has been attracted attention over the years (Thomas & Kim, 2011).
Seaweeds have been one of the richest and most promising sources of bioactive primary and secondary metabolites (de Almeida et al., 2011). Many researchers have focused on red algae as a potential source of bioactive compounds over the past few years. The red algal genus Laurencia typically produces halogenated secondary metabolites, and these compounds have been exhibited antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects (Kamada and Vairappan, 2012). Once the structures and functional properties of these biologically active compounds are understood, they may serve as potential active ingredients for the development of nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals. Hence, understanding of the action pathways of such compounds is critical in the development of effective therapeutic agents for a particular disease.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is becoming increasingly popular in vivo model organism for examining the biological properties of natural products with biomedical relevance (Pyati et al., 2007). In contrast, over the past few years the zebrafish has been manipulated in a large number of studies as a model organism for exploration of biological functions of the natural bioactive components (Rinkwitz et al., 2011). Therefore, in this study, the zebrafish, a common aquatic vertebrate embryo has been used as a tool for the assessment of in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of 5β-hydroxypalisadin B, a brominated secondary metabolite isolated from red seaweed L. snackeyi.
Section snippets
Isolation of 5β-hydroxypalisadin B from red alga Laurencia snackeyi.
Red alga, L. snackeyi (Weber-van Bosse) Masuda was collected at the depth of 5 m by scuba divers at PulauSulug Island, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Collected specimens were cleaned off epiphytes, sand and organic debris, brought to the laboratory under 4 °C in a chiller. In the laboratory the algae were rinsed in three exchanges of double distilled water (DDW) and subjected to air-drying under 24 °C away from direct sunlight. Partially dried algal thallus (220 g) was extracted with MeOH for 5
Effect of 5β-hydroxypalisadin B on survival rate, heart beat rate and morphological changes in zebrafish embryo
In order to determine the toxicity of the isolated compound 5β-hydroxypalisadin B, in this study, we observed the survival rate, heart beat rate, and morphological changes in zebrafish embryos. According to the results obtained, there is no significant change in survival rate compared to the control indicating that there is no toxicity at the tested concentrations (Fig. 2A). In addition, almost the same trend was observed in the heart beat rates at the sample concentrations tested. However, a
Discussion
It is well-known that naturally originated agents with minimum side effects are desirable to substitute chemical therapeutics (Conforti et al., 2008). Therefore, the use of bioactive natural ingredients is widespread and plants still represent a large source of secondary metabolites that might serve as leads for the development of novel therapeutic agents. Thus, natural products continue to be a major source of pharmaceuticals and for the discovery of new molecular structures (McCloud, 2010).
Conclusion
In the present work, the isolated compound was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in zebrafish embryo in vivo model compared to the standard drug dexamethasone, a well-known anti-inflammatory agent. 5β-hydroxypalisadin B showed a profound protective effect against stress-induced ROS formation in zebrafish embroyos. In addition, according to the obtained results, 5β-hydroxypalisadin B can act as an effective agent for inhibiting the LPS-induced NO production. Taken together,
Conflict of interest
Nothing Declared
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Korea (PM57121) and CSV would like to express his appreciation to KORDI for partially funding this project. The permit to collect this seaweed was obtained by CSV from Sabah Parks, Malaysia, and it is highly appreciated.
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Present address: Food Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.