EFFECT OF STEROL ISOLATE FROM ECHINODERM STELLASTER EQUESTRIS ON ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO)

Expansion of secondary metabolites from marine resources mainly from echinoderms has been a subject of intense research due to massive bioactive nature. Isolation of new secondary metabolites from sea stars has been found to be highly polar. An initial assessment and validation of these compounds are necessary to assess human risk. Zebrafish are used as a part of a diverse phase of the drug discovery development and has proved to be a constructive and cost-effective alternative to various mammalian models. The current study was performed to observe the effect of sterol isolate from Stellaster equestris on Zebrafish (Danio rerio). The selected active crude extract (which showed enhanced cytotoxic activity) was subjected to purification and was characterized by spectroscopic analysis. The absorption frequency of the FTIR and NMR analysis resembled the absorption frequency of a steroidal compound. The analyzed compound was then evaluated for toxicity using Danio rerio using DNA fragmentation assay, Embryotoxicity, Fin regeneration, and Cardiotoxicity assay as the endpoints. The fishes were exposed to 4 different concentrations (50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml and 400 mg/ml). DNA fragmentation assay revealed intact DNA bands suggesting that the compound is not genotoxic. The extent of fin regeneration was found to be marginally affected by the increase in the concentration of the compound. Embryotoxicity and cardiotoxicity assay in Zebrafish demonstrated the absence of any visible abnormality even with the increase in concentration. Thus, the present study signifies that compound A isolated from Stellaster equestris is not toxic.