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20 September 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied
zebrafish-blue-in-aquarium
Zebrafish blue in an aquarium.

A researcher from the University of the Free State (UFS) hopes to make living with epilepsy and other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) easier by using South African plants extracts which may have anti-epileptic properties and testing them on zebrafish larvae.

Prof Anke Wilhelm, Associate Professor and Divisional Head of Organic Chemistry in the UFS Department of Chemistry, focuses her research on the isolation of active GABAergic compounds (substances that affect the brain’s GABA system, which helps control nervous system activity) by using a test that measures the movement of zebrafish larvae.

Even though obtaining regulatory approval for use as a treatment for epilepsy is a long and complex process, Prof Wilhelm hopes to contribute to the better pain management of people suffering from epilepsy and diseases of the CNS through an affordable alternative drug with less side effects.

The tests are done in a zebrafish bioassay (an analytical method to determine the potency of a substance by its effect on living animals) housed at the UFS’ Chemistry Department.

Why zebrafish larvae?

Prof Wilhelm, who is a National Research Foundation Y2-rated synthetic organic chemist, says zebrafish share about 70% of their genes with humans, and about 84% of human genes known to be associated with diseases have a counterpart in zebrafish. This makes them a valuable model for studying human biology and disease.

“Zebrafish are powerful tools for modelling a wide range of CNS diseases, contributing significantly to the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of potential treatments,” she says. “Mood disorders, anxiety, insomnia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are all diseases which may be studied through this bioassay.”

She explains that the zebrafish larvae are studied seven days after fertilisation in their bioassay. The larvae are incubated with the specific plant extract at a certain (non-toxic) concentration for three hours. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), a GABAA receptor antagonist that has been extensively used in rodent models for acute seizure and anxiety, is then administered to induce concentration-dependent seizures in the zebrafish larvae.

“GABA receptor antagonists are drugs that inhibit the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid, the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system,” Prof Wilhelm says. “A specialised infrared camera is then used to track the movement of the larvae inside a chamber. The data is then converted into a graph which shows the movement of each larva over 30 minutes.

“If lowering of movement is observed at a specific concentration it means that the plant extract may have the potential to be used as an epileptic drug, since it has the ability to counteract the induced seizure in the larvae. This bioassay is extremely useful in drug discovery and toxicity screening of plant extracts.”

Zebrafish embryos, she says, develop quickly, with major organs forming within 36 hours of fertilisation. This rapid development allows researchers to observe the effects of experiments in a short period. The maintenance of a zebrafish model is less costly and labour-intensive than using a rodent model. “The use of zebrafish larvae allows for high-throughput screening due to their small size and transparency, which facilitates observation of CNS-related effects. Their genetic and physiological similarities to humans make them a valuable model for early-stage drug discovery.”

Potential uses

The next step in the research, according to Prof Wilhelm, is to identify a single compound from a natural source which may have potential anti-epileptic activity while causing less side effects than current drugs on the market. Researchers would then investigate the possibility of synthesising such a compound on a large scale, to eliminate the use of a natural resource and promote sustainability.

“Many plant extracts which I have screened show a synergistic effect in the zebrafish bioassay, meaning that the extract or the combination of compounds shows potential, but the isolated compounds are inactive. Even if a plant extract shows promise in preclinical and early clinical studies, obtaining regulatory approval for use as a treatment for epilepsy is a long and complex process.

“This includes demonstrating consistent efficacy, safety, and quality in large-scale clinical trials. One of the major challenges in using plant extracts is the lack of standardisation. The concentration of active compounds in plant extracts can vary depending on factors like the plant's growing conditions, harvest time, and extraction methods. This variability makes it difficult to ensure consistent efficacy and safety, therefore this is a time-consuming process.”

Green chemistry

After being approached by Dr Glen Taylor, Senior Director of the UFS Directorate Research Development (DRD), in 2017, regarding funding for Noldus Daniovision equipment, Prof Wilhelm received training from Prof Matthias Hamburger of the University of Basel in Switzerland on how to use such equipment. The larval zebrafish locomotive bioassay was established at the UFS Chemistry Department during 2017 and 2018 and now provides a third-stream income for the department, in conjunction with the Department of Genetics, where the adult zebrafish are housed.

Prof Wilhelm’s other research interests include green chemistry, food sustainability, and recycling. She is looking into green extraction techniques using non-conventional extraction methods to recover valuable bioactive compounds from agricultural and food residues. “Techniques like ultrasound, microwave-assisted extraction, and the use of deep eutectic solvents are becoming popular for their efficiency and alignment with circular economy principles.”

News Archive

Significant boost for infrastructure development
2012-12-28

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently received a significant boost for its infrastructure development with the approval of infrastructure projects totalling
R333,600 million by the Department of Higher Education and Training for the next three years.

The funding includes cost sharing, with the department contributing R208,394 million and the UFS contributing an amount of R125,206 million.

The UFS Council approved the projects and the cost sharing during the last meeting for the year on 16 November 2012.

“We are elated by the generous funding received from the department as it will assist us in fast-tracking our infrastructure development, providing in the increasing need for new and upgraded facilities at all three campuses,” said Prof. Nicky Morgan, Vice-Rector: Operations.

The projects include:

  • Upgrading and new disability access to various buildings on the Bloemfontein, South and Qwaqwa Campuses;
  • A building in Kimberley, which will be shared by the School for Allied Health Professionals and Nursing;
  • Upgrading and extension of the biotechnology and nutrition facilities, additional infrastructure for the Department of Physics and the upgrading of an extension to the genetic sciences facilities on the Bloemfontein Campus;
  • A new 250-bed student residence on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campusus, respectively;
  • Facilities for the Faculty of Education;
  • Six lecture rooms on the South Campus;
  • Upgrading of the interpreting laboratory and the development of an audio-visual production facility for recording of lectures on the Bloemfontein Campus;
  • Provision of office space for the Centre for Teaching and Learning on the Bloemfontein Campus;
  • Lecture halls and a laboratory for the Department of Geography and Tourism on the Qwaqwa Campus; and
  • Funding of additional infrastructure for the Department of Physics on the Qwaqwa Campus.

 “The department made special mention of the way the UFS manages its infrastructure and efficiency funding when the announcement about the allocation of funds was made. This is a feather in our cap as the department has been referring other higher education institutions to the UFS for advice on infrastructure development,” he said.

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