SASUF Goes Digital 2022

Background:
Zebrafish are emerging as a new model species in experimental neuroscience, possessing robust affective and cognitive phenotypes, making it a promising model to study stress–memory interplay. However, there is not enough evidence in literature on the use of Amaryllidaceae plant kingdom for treatment of behavioural disorders in zebrafish. Herbal medicines are being used widely by people but in some instances there is no scientific evidence to support their use. Due to this, poisoning and sometimes death result in some cases. Amaryllidaceae plants are widely used traditionally to treat affective disorders and have been shown to have affinity for the serotonin reuptake transporter in vitro which is the same site where some antidepressant drugs in current use bind to.


Objective:
In the present work, invivo studies will be carried out in order to investigate if a crude extract of five Amaryllidaceae plants (Boophone. disticha, Crinum campanulatum, Crinum graminicola, Crinum. macowanii, and Crinum. moorei) has any antidepressant-like activity, and its effects on the chemical neuroanatomy in zebrafish models of depression.
Such a study may help in understanding pathogenesis of anxiety disorders and provide a cheaper alternative options in treatment of anxiety in humans of developing countries like South Africa.