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Quercetin ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in adult zebrafish

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Abstract

Background

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid that is known to have numerous pharmacological activities such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects against various neurological disorders. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent endotoxin, reported causing several neurological disorders.

Aim

The present study was designed to investigate the possibility that quercetin ameliorates LPS induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in adult zebrafish.

Materials and methods

Zebrafish (weighing 470–530 mg) were treated with a single injection of LPS (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) followed by post-treatment with quercetin (50 and 100 mg/kg; i.p.) for 7 days. After sacrificing brain was harvested and subjected for biochemical, molecular, and histological analyses.

Results

Results revealed post-treatment with quercetin was able to ameliorate the behavioral abnormalities as in novel tank diving test- time spent in the top zone (TSTZ), and the number of entries in the top zone was significantly (p < 0.01) more as compared to time spent in the bottom zone (TSBZ). In the light–dark chamber test- time spent in the light zone (TSLZ), and the number of entries in the light zone were significantly (p < 0.01) more as compared to time spent in the dark compartment (TSDC). Additionally, results of histopathology (H & E stain) studies showed less disruption in neuronal cells as compared to the LPS treated group. Moreover, the results of the molecular analysis revealed that quercetin treatment significantly (p < 0.01) decrease TNF-α and IL-1β levels as compared to LPS treated animals. Further, results of the biochemical analysis reveal that quercetin significantly (p < 0.01) reduces the level of LPO, nitrite, AChEs and increases anti-oxidant GSH.

Conclusion

Quercetin treatment helps to prevent oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in LPS treated adult zebrafish.

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Abbreviations

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

AD:

Alzheimer Disease

PD:

Parkinson Disease

MS:

Multiple Sclerosis

ALS:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

TSTZ:

Time spent in the top zone

TSBZ:

Time spent in the bottom zone

TSLZ:

Time spent in the light zone

TSDC:

Time spent in the dark compartment

TNF- α:

Tumour necrosis factor

IL-1β:

Interleukin 1 beta

LPO:

Lipid peroxidation

AChEs:

Acetylcholinesterase

GSH:

Glutathione

CNS:

Central nervous system

QoL:

Quality of life

BBB:

Blood–brain barrier

DMSO:

Dimethylsulfoxide

TCA:

Trichloroacetic acid

TBA:

Thiobarbituric acid

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Institute, for providing a research facility. Biorender.com for the preparation of figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India

    Sukhdev Singh, Kuleshwar Sahu, Lakshay Kapil & Arti Singh

  2. Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India

    Charan Singh

  3. Affiliated to IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, 144603, Punjab, India

    Sukhdev Singh, Kuleshwar Sahu, Lakshay Kapil, Charan Singh & Arti Singh

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  1. Sukhdev Singh
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Contributions

SS did the research and drafts the manuscript, KS and LK helped in data collection, CS helped in editing the manuscript, AS designs the layout and critically revises the manuscript. The authors declare that all data were generated in-house and that no paper mill was used.

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Correspondence to Arti Singh.

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Our study protocol involving animals have been approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee.

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Singh, S., Sahu, K., Kapil, L. et al. Quercetin ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in adult zebrafish. Mol Biol Rep 49, 3247–3258 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-07161-2

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