Evaluation of the effect of Echium amoenum extracts on the development of cardiovascular system of zebrafish embryos by examining the expression of Nkx2-5, ApoE, and Tbx5 genes using the Real-time PCR method
Subject Areas : Journal of Animal BiologyRozhin Solhjoei 1 , Tahereh Naji 2 * , Saeed Mohammadi Motamed 3 , Nikoo Nasoohi 4
1 - Department of Basic Sciences, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Basic Sciences, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Pharmacognosy, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 - Department of Basic Sciences, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Nkx2-5, ApoE, Tbx5, Echium amoenum, Zebrafish embryo, Cardiovascular system, Real-time PCR,
Abstract :
Cardiovascular disorders rank among the top leading causes of death on a global scale. Increasing interest has emerged in bioactive plant compounds for the potential support of cardiovascular-related health outcomes. This study assessed the cardiovascular development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and the expression of Nkx2-5, ApoE, and Tbx5 genes with unrefined Echium amoenum extract. The extract was produced through maceration with 70% ethanol, and zebrafish embryos were treated with concentrations of 7.8 to 125 µg/mL concentration of the extract. Morphological indices of zebrafish embryos, application of cardiac histology, and expression of genes through Real-time PCR. The results demonstrated that at low to moderate concentration levels (7.8 to 62.5 µg/mL), the extract produced an upregulation of zebrafish embryos expression of target genes and more advanced cardiac development. In higher concentration (125 μg/mL), the embryos did not develop, displayed a body curvature, and signs of oxidative stress. Examination of histology showed that at subtoxic concentrations, the zebrafish heart tissue appeared histologically normal in its architecture and showed no signs of acute toxicity. Overall, this study supports that Echium amoenum extract and other natural products may act as a potential natural source of cardiovascular support by enhancing gene expression at an embryonic stage of cardiac development. Future studies need to be organized to assess the safety margins of Echium amoenum and verify its efficacy in adult models and clinical studies.
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