The effects of Piper sarmentosum aqueous extracts on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and caudal fin tissue regeneration

• Published in: Scientific Reports
• Main Author: Zainol Abidin I.Z.; Fazry S.; Jamar N.H.; Ediwar Dyari H.R.; Zainal Ariffin Z.; Johari A.N.; Ashaari N.S.; Johari N.A.; Megat Abdul Wahab R.; Zainal Ariffin S.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Research 2020
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85089811315&doi=10.1038%2fs41598-020-70962-7&partnerID=40&md5=50c0383bf23b00fe36e5e0a36cc10a40

In Malaysia, Piper sarmentosum or ‘kaduk’ is commonly used in traditional medicines. However, its biological effects including in vivo embryonic toxicity and tissue regenerative properties are relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo toxicities and caudal fin tissue regeneration in the presence of P. sarmentosum aqueous extracts. The phytochemical components and antioxidant activity of the extract were studied using GC–MS analysis and DPPH assay, respectively. Embryo toxicity tests involving survival, heartbeat, and morphological analyses were conducted to determine P. sarmentosum extract toxicity (0–60 µg/mL); concentrations of 0–400 µg/mL of the extract were used to study tissue regeneration in the zebrafish caudal fin. The extract contained several phytochemicals with antioxidant activity and exhibited DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 50.56 mg/mL). Embryo toxicity assays showed that a concentration of 60 μg/mL showed the highest rates of lethality regardless of exposure time. Slower embryogenesis was observed at 40 µg/mL, with non-viable embryos first detected at 50 µg/mL. Extracts showed significant differences (p < 0.01) for tissue regeneration at all concentrations when compared to non-treated samples. In conclusion, Piper sarmentosum extracts accelerated tissue regeneration, and extract concentrations at 60 µg/mL showed the highest toxicity levels for embryo viability. © 2020, The Author(s).