Title:The Zebrafish Model as a New Discovery Path for Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Author(s): Amir Modarresi Chahardehi*, Yasaman Hosseini, Seyed Mohammad Mahdavi and Iman Naseh
Affiliation:
- Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Keywords:
Zebrafish, Parkinson’s disease, medicinal plants, neurodegenerative disorders, animal models, central nervous system.
Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most frequent degenerative central nervous system
disorders affecting older adults. Dopaminergic neuron failure in the substantia nigra is a pathological
sign connected with the motor shortfall of PD. Due to their low teratogenic and adverse effect potential,
medicinal herbs have emerged as a promising therapy option for preventing and curing PD and
other neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanism through which natural compounds provide
neuroprotection against PD remains unknown. While testing compounds in vertebrates such as
mice is prohibitively expensive and time-consuming, zebrafish (Danio rerio) may offer an appealing
alternative because they are vertebrates and share many of the same characteristics as humans.
Zebrafish are commonly used as animal models for studying many human diseases, and their molecular
history and bioimaging properties are appropriate for the study of PD. However, a literature review
indicated that only six plants, including Alpinia oxyhylla, Bacopa monnieri, Canavalia gladiate, Centella
asiatica, Paeonia suffruticosa, and Stachytarpheta indica had been investigated as potential PD
treatments using the zebrafish model. Only C. asiatica and B. monnieri were found to have potential
anti-PD activity. In addition to reviewing the current state of research in this field, these plants' putative
mechanisms of action against PD are explored, and accessible assays for investigation are made.