Biology subjects

Pantoja, A. R. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Pantoja, A. R. B..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

The anxiolytic-like effect of the aqueous extract of Punica granatum depends on the stress level of fish and mice: Evidence of a homeostatic re-establishing effect

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has shown potential anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in preclinical research, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Importantly, some evidence suggests that the effects of P. granatum depend on previous stress, suggesting an adaptogenic effect. This study aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effects of an aqueous extract of P. granatum (AE-PG) on lambaris and zebrafish exposed to acute restraint stress (ARS) and female BALB/c mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress (CUMS). In addition, we evaluated antidepressant-like effects in female BALB/c mice. Acute administration of AE-PG (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was tested in the novel tank test (NTT) in lambaris and zebrafish and in the light/dark test (LDT) in zebrafish, while chronic (7 days) administration of AE-PG (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was tested in the elevated plus-maze (EPM), open-field test (OFT), splash test (ST), and forced swim test (FST) in mice. ARS increased geotaxis and erratic swimming in the NTT, as well as scototaxis, risk assessment, and erratic swimming in the LDT. Acute pre-treatment with AE-PG blocked the effects of ARS on these anxiety-like endpoints in both lambaris and zebrafish. CUMS increased open arm avoidance in the EPM, thigmotaxis and horizontal and vertical exploration in the OFT, and immobility in the FST, and decreased grooming in the ST. Chronic treatment with AE-PG blocked the effects of CUMS on anxiety-like endpoints, and depression-like endpoints, in mice. An in silico analysis of the main compounds in AE-PG suggested a possible mechanism of action on a wide network of targets that converge on PI3K/Akt and show differential expression in brain regions associated with fear- and anxiety-like behavior. Molecular docking suggests that a compound from AE-PG, ellagic acid, is likely to act through estrogen receptors, which could help reestablish homeostatic balance in response to stress.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2026

Unpredictable chronic stress produces a mixed depression/anxiety behavioral profile in zebrafish

Stress is a physiological, adaptive, and preliminary response of the organism to situations of threats and instability caused by environmental and psychological stressors. The chronicity and predictability of stressors are important variables in determining neurobehavioral outcomes. While unpredictable chronic stress (UCS) protocols typically induce depressive-like phenotypes in rodents, in zebrafish the effects of these protocols are assessed using anxiety-like outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the effects of an unpredictable UCS on depressive-type behavioral parameters and brain lipid peroxidation in zebrafish. A 14-day UCS protocol was used, with 10 different types of stressors administered twice daily in a random manner, using draws, for greater unpredictability. Animals underwent the Novel Tank Test (anxiety-like outcome) and the Social Preference Test (depressive-like outcome) 24 hours after the end of the UCS protocol. Biochemical data were collected using a thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay to quantify malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation. The findings suggest that prolonged exposure to stressors causes damage to the organism, with increased anxiety and decreased social preference, highlighting zebrafish as an efficient model in the investigation of the neurobiological and neuropathological mechanisms of stress.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Role of the 5HT2C receptor in anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The present study aims to describe the acute effects of 5-HT2C receptor agonists and antagonists in behavioral tests related to anxiety in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). For this, three groups of fish (n = 12/group) were used: a group treated with the drug MK-212 (2 mg/kg), a 5-HT2C receptor agonist; another group treated with the drug RS-102221 (2 mg/kg), a 5-HT2C receptor antagonist; and a third group, the control group, using a vehicle solution. The three groups were exposed to two behavioral tests: novel tank test (NTT) and light-dark preference (LDT). MK-212 produced no effects on the NTT, while RS-102221 decreased geotaxis (d = 0.99, 95%CI[0.3, 1.7]) and erratic swimming (d = 0.87, 95%CI[0.18, 1.56]) in this test; these effects are consistent with a tonic facilitation of defensive behavior in the NTT. Conversely, in the LDT, MK-212 increased scototaxis (d = 0.96, 95%CI[0.25, 1.65]), risk assessment (d = -1.31, 95%CI[-2.02, -0.59]), and thigmotaxis (d = -1.48, 95%CI[-2.21, -0.75]), consistent with an anxiogenic-like effect of this drug. Thus, tonic and phasic effects of the activation of this receptor are observed depending on the type of behavioral test used.

neuroscience↗