Study on the Effects of Kandhamal Haladi in Benzo [a]Pyrene-Induced Behavioral Changes in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

The aquatic ecosystem provides a base for the environmental pollutants that have potential to induce the anxiety-like behavioral response in aquatic animals. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon commonly associated with anxiety-like behavior. Kandhamal haladi (KH) has been used traditionally as anxiolytic drug. The present study is aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic role of Kandhamal haladi following exposure to waterborne B[a]P. Wild-type zebrafish (Danio rerio) were assigned as naive, control (dimethyl sulfoxide), B[a]P, KH, and B[a]P + KH groups. Behavioral studies showed reversal in scototaxis (light and dark preference) behavior in B[a]P group and reinstated by KH cosupplementation in B[a]P + KH group. Video-aided analysis of zebrafish behavior presents an increased range of behavioral endpoints, some of which are not available using manual observations. This protocol describes technique for accurate, consistent and fast video-aided measurements of zebrafish locomotion and anxiety-related behavior. The novel tank diving test and light/dark box experiments showed the anxiety response and allows comparison of anxiety induced behavior in experimental versus control groups. Cosupplementation of B[a]P with KH restored the normal scototaxis behavior of adult zebrafish. The findings confirmed anxiolytic nature of Kandhamal haladi.

Keywords:

• Anxiolytic
• behavior
• benzo[a]pyrene
• kandhamal haladi
• light and dark box test
• novel tank diving test
• scototaxis
• zebrafish