Study of the Potential Hepatoprotective Effect of Myo-Inositol and Its Influence on Zebrafish Development

Abstract

Inositol is a natural substance found widely in plants. It is used in therapies for many medical cases. The aim of this study was to determine the toxicity of myo-inositol (MI) and to investigate its potential hepatoprotective character. In the first part of the study, zebrafish embryos were incubated with 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/mL MI. Endpoints such as survivability, hatching rate, malformation, and mobility were evaluated. Our results demonstrated that the high doses of MI lead to increased mortality and malformations and reduce the hatching rate in comparison to the control group. Moreover, low doses of this compound do not produce a negative effect on zebrafish and even have the ability to increase the hatchingrate and mobility. In the second part of the study, the hepatoprotective effect of MI was tested. Zebrafish larvae from the line Tg(fabp10a:DsRed) were incubated for 24 h with 1% and 2% ethanol (EtOH),5 mg/mL of MI with 1% EtOH, and 5 mg/mL of MI with 2% EtOH. No significant differences between the groups with EtOH and the group treated with EtOH with MI were observed. Our results suggest that MI has no positive benefits on hepatocytes of zebrafish larvae.

The Study of Myo-Inositol’s Anxiolytic Activity on Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…In this study, we used concentrations of MI with a maximum value of 40 mg/mL. Based on our previous research, in which we conducted the fish embryo toxicity (FET) test, MI concentrations higher than 40 mg/mL turned out to be toxic and led to significant disturbances in zebrafish maturation and survivability [1]. In another research paper found in online databases, the authors investigated the impact of MI on stress reduction in another fish species-the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus).…”

“…Cyclitols are a group of compounds that may have a beneficial effect on human health and support immunity against numerous diseases, but its use as a clinical therapeutic is not established. Also known as sugar alcohols or polyols, they are widely distributed in the environment, and are found in many organic products such as citrus fruits, nuts, yeast, grains, beans, buckwheat, and many others [1]. Cyclitols and their derivatives perform many functions in eukaryotic cells.…”

Antiepileptic Properties of Scyllo-Inositol on Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures

“…The discovery is significant as it supports the prospective use of SCI as an antiepileptic drug. Zebrafish larva motility may increase in SCI groups either due to SCI directly connecting to GABA-A receptors or indirectly through SCI metabolites, most likely through binding to excitatory receptors in the brain [28].…”