Effects of Penthorum chinense pursh and gallic acid on embryonic and cardiac development in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Penthorum chinense Pursh (P. chinense), known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is valued for its low toxicity in animal and human models. However, concerns have arisen regarding the developmental effects of its bioactive components. This study investigates the acute toxicity of P. chinense extract and gallic acid on zebrafish embryos. The calculated LC50 values were 237.0 mg/L for P. chinense extract and 328.4 mg/L for gallic acid, demonstrating a dose-response relationship with increasing mortality rates. Developmental assessments revealed significant morphological abnormalities, including heart defects, swim bladder and tail malformations, particularly at higher concentrations. Body length and eye diameter showed a hormetic dose-response to P. chinense extract, with increased growth at lower concentrations but a decrease at higher doses. Cardiac evaluations revealed altered heart rates, initially increasing and then decreasing at elevated concentrations. qRT-PCR analyses confirmed modulation of several heart-related genes, highlighting the differential impacts on cardiac development. These findings underscore the need to carefully assess the potential risks of P. chinense extract and gallic acid exposure in aquatic organisms.