PUBLICATION

Anxiolytic-like Effect of Chrysin on Female Zebrafish is Likely Mediated by α5 subunits of GABAA Receptors

Authors
Costa, B.P.D., German-Ponciano, L.J., de Souza, L.V.X.B., Leite, M., Costa, J.V., Feitosa, L.M., Oliveira, L.N., Jesus, P.S., Ikeda, S.R., Pantoja, A.R.B., Lima-Maximino, M., Rodríguez-Landa, J.F., Siqueira-Silva, D.H., Maximino, C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-250121-23
Date
2025
Source
Chemistry & biodiversity : e202403140 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Maximino, Caio
Keywords
Chrysin, Drug Discovery, GABAA receptors, Neurotransmitters, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents*/chemistry
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents*/pharmacology
  • Anxiety*/drug therapy
  • Behavior, Animal/drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Flavonoids*/chemistry
  • Flavonoids*/pharmacology
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, GABA-A*/chemistry
  • Receptors, GABA-A*/metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
39832342 Full text @ Chem. Biodivers.
Abstract
Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural flavonoid with potential anxiolytic-like effects in preclinical models. Acute treatment with this molecule (0 - 10 mg/kg) produced a biphasic dose-response in the zebrafish light/dark test (LDT), with anxiolytic-like effect at low doses and anxiogenic-like effects at high doses. Chrysin (1 mg/kg) decreased anxiety-like behavior in the zebrafish novel tank test (NTT), but did not prevent the anxiogenic effects of acute stress. The anxiolytic-like effects of chrysin (1 mg/kg) in the LDT were blocked by pretreatment with picrotoxin, suggesting interaction with γ-aminobutiric acid A (GABAA) receptors. Molecular modeling suggested that chrysin interacts with α5 subunits at residues lining the ion channel pore. These results demonstrate one of the possible mechanisms of action of chrysin, reinforcing the anxiolytic potential of this molecule.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping