Zebra Fish Model as a Promising Alternative to Laboratory Rodents in Pharmacological and Biomedical Research
Deboleena Dey
Department of Pharmacology, Mallige College of Pharmacy, #71, Silvepura, Chikkabanavara Post, Bangalore-560090, India.
Nagalakshmi N C *
Department of Pharmacology, Mallige College of Pharmacy, #71, Silvepura, Chikkabanavara Post, Bangalore-560090, India.
Kuntal Das
Mallige College of Pharmacy, #71, Silvepura, Chikkabanavara Post, Bangalore-560090, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Zebra fish (Danio rerio) belonging to the Cyprinidae family, are useful model organisms for researching vertebrate biology because of their transparent embryos and quick growth. For high-throughput pharmacological and genetic screening, they are superior to mice, especially when studying human disease and its remedies. Zebra fish embryos are a valuable biological model since they are transparent and develop outside of the uterus. More than 80% of the proteins that causes disease have been maintained, and 70% of their genomes resemble those of humans. Because the bodily tissues and growth and development biology of Zebra fish are similar to those of humans, models of a variety of illnesses, and different thrust areas viz. cancers, hepatic, circulatory, and cardiovascular diseases where rodents are replaced by this model. Treatments for epilepsy, behavioural neuroscience, neuropharmacology, viral infections, and other topics are being studied with Zebra fish. Currently Zebra fish applications in a variety of therapeutic fields are extremely important.
Keywords: Cyprinidae, Danio rerio, mammalian models, zebra fish