Evaluation of developmental and transcriptional effects of alpha-mangostin on zebrafish embryos

alpha-Mangostin is a primary active compound found in mangosteen pericarp that has been used as a traditional medicine in Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. Since toxicological information is limited, developmental toxicity and transcriptional effects of alpha-mangostin during embryogenesis of zebrafish were studied. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to alpha-mangostin (up to 15 mu mol/L) from 4 hours up to 72 the 50% lethal concentration was estimated as 6.9 +/- 1.9 mu mol/L. The compound induced developmental defects in zebrafish embryos/larvae, mainly consisting of truncated bodies, bent tails, blood clots, and pericardial and yolk edemas. alpha-Mangostin increased malformation in body shape and tail morphology. Additionally, the compound altered the transcriptional expression levels of genes correlated with oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and hematopoiesis. Further research will be necessary to evaluate if alpha-mangostin may cause developmental toxicity in other animals.