Abstract
Hypericum lanceolatum Lam. (H. lanceolatum) is a traditional medicinal plant from Reunion Island used for its pleiotropic effects mainly related to its antioxidant activity. The present work aimed to 1) determine the potential toxicity of the plant aqueous extract in vivo and 2) investigate its putative biological properties using several zebrafish models of oxidative stress, regeneration, estrogenicity, neurogenesis and metabolic disorders. First, we characterized the polyphenolic composition by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and identified chlorogenic acid isomers, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives as the major compounds. We then evaluated for the first time the toxicity of an aqueous extract of H. lanceolatum and determined a maximum non-toxic concentration (MNTC) in zebrafish eleutheroembryos from 0 to 96 hpf following OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. This MNTC test was also determined on hatched eleutheroembryos after 2 days of treatment (from 3 to 5 dpf). In our study, the anti-estrogenic effects of H. lanceolatum are supported by the data from the EASZY assay. In a tail amputation model, we showed that H. lanceolatum at its MNTC displays antioxidant properties, favors immune cell recruitment and tissue regeneration. Our results also highlighted its beneficial effects in metabolic disorders. Indeed, H. lanceolatum efficiently reduces lipid accumulation and body mass index in overfed larva- and adult-models, respectively. In addition, we show that H. lanceolatum did not improve fasting blood glucose levels in a hyperglycemic zebrafish model but surprisingly inhibited neurogenesis impairment observed in diabetic conditions. In conclusion, our study highlights the antioxidant, pro-regenerative, anti-lipid accumulation and pro-neurogenic effects of H. lanceolatum in vivo and supports the use of this traditional medicinal plant as a potential alternative in the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic disorders.
Highlights
Traditional herbal medicine has been used worldwide against a multitude of disorders and diseases
Given that the recruitment of immune cells is essential for initiating tissue regeneration in both fish and mammals (Schäfer and Werner, 2008; Koh and DiPietro, 2011), we investigated the effects of H. lanceolatum aqueous extract on tail regeneration and demonstrated its pro-regenerative properties in both eleutheroembryo and adult zebrafish
This work reported for the first time the toxicity of the aqueous extract of H. lanceolatum using reliable zebrafish toxicity tests
Summary
Traditional herbal medicine has been used worldwide against a multitude of disorders and diseases. In the Mascarene Islands (Reunion, Mauritius, and Rodrigues), some plants are still used by local people as beverages or external treatments to treat minor infections of skin, gastrointestinal or urinary tracts, ulcers, infertility, epilepsy as well as chronic diseases including obesity and diabetes (Gurib-Fakim and Brendler, 2004). Among these territories of the Indian Ocean, Reunion Island is known for the richness and diversity of its plant biodiversity which offers a large number of bioactive molecules contributing to the health benefits of many plants. 27 have recently been registered in the French Pharmacopeia because of their antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory or healing properties in traditional medicine alleged in traditional medicine (Aplamedom Reunion, 2021; Lavergne, 2001; Agence Nationale De Sécurité Du Médicament Et Des Produits De Santé, 2021)
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