Anxiolytic activity of the methanolic extract of Annona squamosa leaves on zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Document Types
Poster Presentation
School Name
Caloocan City Science High School
Track or Strand
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Dizon, Suzzeth U.
Start Date
23-6-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
23-6-2025 12:00 PM
Zoom Link/ Room Assignment
5th Floor Breakout Function Room (501-503), Enrique K. Razon Jr. Hall, DLSU Laguna Campus
Abstract/Executive Summary
Society has been in a long standing battle against anxiety. Many people seeking therapy for anxiety encounter obstacles due to the high cost and limited accessibility of anxiety drugs. Annona squamosa leaves have been extensively utilized in traditional medicine for their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. It contains natural flavonoids such as quercetin, which have promising anxiolytic properties. This study investigated the capabilities of the methanolic extract of A. squamosa leaves in reducing anxiety. The study used the light-dark behavioral assay to test the effects of the extract on zebrafish behavior upon ingestion. This test uses the instinct of zebrafish to hide into dimly-lit areas and manifestation of erratic behavior when avoiding or expecting the presence of predators. Groups of treatment and control were formed. The treatment group was subjected to the extract at a concentration of 0.075 mL/L for a duration of five minutes. The findings revealed significant differences between the two groups regarding delay time to the black compartment, time allocated in the white compartment, and the frequency of crossings. In particular, the treatment group demonstrated an extended latency period, a greater duration in the white compartment, and a reduced number of crossings in comparison to the control group. The aforementioned results show that the zebrafish that consumed the extract manifested less anxiety-like behavior as it exhibited a reduction in predator-hiding signals and erratic behavior determined by the number of crossings. This implies that the A. squamosa leaf extract has a potential in anti-anxiety treatments.
Keywords
Annona squamosa, zebrafish, anxiolytic, light-dark preference test
Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)
Food, Nutrition, and Health (FNH)
Initial Consent for Publication
yes
Statement of Originality
yes
Anxiolytic activity of the methanolic extract of Annona squamosa leaves on zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Society has been in a long standing battle against anxiety. Many people seeking therapy for anxiety encounter obstacles due to the high cost and limited accessibility of anxiety drugs. Annona squamosa leaves have been extensively utilized in traditional medicine for their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. It contains natural flavonoids such as quercetin, which have promising anxiolytic properties. This study investigated the capabilities of the methanolic extract of A. squamosa leaves in reducing anxiety. The study used the light-dark behavioral assay to test the effects of the extract on zebrafish behavior upon ingestion. This test uses the instinct of zebrafish to hide into dimly-lit areas and manifestation of erratic behavior when avoiding or expecting the presence of predators. Groups of treatment and control were formed. The treatment group was subjected to the extract at a concentration of 0.075 mL/L for a duration of five minutes. The findings revealed significant differences between the two groups regarding delay time to the black compartment, time allocated in the white compartment, and the frequency of crossings. In particular, the treatment group demonstrated an extended latency period, a greater duration in the white compartment, and a reduced number of crossings in comparison to the control group. The aforementioned results show that the zebrafish that consumed the extract manifested less anxiety-like behavior as it exhibited a reduction in predator-hiding signals and erratic behavior determined by the number of crossings. This implies that the A. squamosa leaf extract has a potential in anti-anxiety treatments.
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2025/poster_fnh/1
