Toxicity induced by emodin on zebrafish embryos

Abstract

Emodin, a widely available herbal remedy, has a variety of pharmacological actions and valuable clinical applications. The potential effect of emodin on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos was evaluated. Zebrafish embryos were incubated with 0.1-2 μg/mL of emodin from 7 hours to 6 days postfertilization (dpf). Emodin, at concentrations of 0.25 μg/mL and above, negatively affected embryo survival and hatching success. Emodin induced a large suite of abnormalities on zebrafish embryos, such as edema, crooked trunk, and abnormal morphogenesis. To elucidate the mechanism of action, the transcript levels of drug-metabolism genes (CYP3A) and a multiple drug-resistance gene (MDR1) were detected by reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction. Embryos showed increases in mRNA accumulation of CYP3A and MDR1. The above-described results indicated that emodin impaired zebrafish embryo development and some organ morphogenesis, and CYP3A and MDR1 were involved in the process. These findings suggest that emodin was toxic to zebrafish lavae at relatively low concentrations.

Food colorant Sunset Yellow (E110) intervenes developmental profile of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…*Significant at 5% level, n = 270/concentration resulting in weakened spontaneous muscular movement (David & Pancharatna, 2009a, 2009bHaendel, Tilton, Bailey, & Tanguay, 2004;Strmac, Oberemm, & Braunbeck, 2002). Alteration in hatching rate/time is reported in zebrafish embryos exposed to pharmaceuticals, acetaminophen and ibuprofen (David & Pancharatna, 2009a, 2009b, nanomaterials and nanoparticles (He et al, 2012;Hu, Qi, Han, Shao, & Gao, 2011), organic pesticides (Sreedevi et al, 2014), metal ions such as copper, lead and mercury (Dave & Xiu, 1991). Likewise, pericardial edema induced in embryos/larvae owing to the exposure of E110…”

Bioconcentration and Metabolism of Emodin in Zebrafish Eleutheroembryos

“…In a previous study (He et al, 2012), after exposure to 1.5 μg/mL of emodin for 48 h, the mortality rate of zebrafish embryos was lower than 50%. Therefore, the high concentration selected for the bioconcentration experiments was 15 ng/mL and a lower level was set at 7.5 ng/mL, half of the high level.…”

Toxicity of Anthraquinones: Differential Effects of Rumex Seed Extracts on Rat Organ Weights and Biochemical and Haematological Parameters

“…It is currently under investigation for its anticancer properties, but there are concerns about its toxicity and particularly its genotoxicity (Li et al , ), especially as many of the medical conditions for which it is used are chronic and require long‐term medication. Chrysophanol is also widely found in medicinal plants and has cytotoxic effects (He et al , ). These concerns are in addition to issues associated with over‐dosage, for example the loss of electrolytes by the excessive use of laxatives.…”

“…Our study also supports the more recent reports showing that emodin and related anthraquinones may be less toxic than previously thought, although with some exceptions. The genotoxic (Li et al , ) and embryotoxic effects in zebrafish (He et al , ) and mice (Chang et al , ) previously described, together with our results showing possible damage to male sex organs, suggest reproductive toxicity.…”