Chemical Characterization and Behavioral Study of Cactus Extract on Zebrafish
Location
Poster #19
Department
Chemistry
Abstract
The use of acutely psychoactive drugs at low doses has gained recent interest in the medical community for patients exhibiting treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. San Pedro cactus has been used horticulturally as an ornamental garden plant in the United States and has been known to contain psychoactive alkaloids. In this study, we take an extract of San Pedro cactus using a Soxhlet extraction method and characterize its major alkaloids using GC-MS analysis. This characterized extract was then administered to zebrafish at various doses to observe how their behavior was affected. The movements of the fish were observed by video and analyzed using tracking software. Anxiety-related behaviors such as erratic swimming, freezing, behavior towards objects, movement speed, and social interactions were noted.
Faculty Sponsor
Shannon Saszik
Faculty Sponsor
Charles Abrams
Chemical Characterization and Behavioral Study of Cactus Extract on Zebrafish
Poster #19
The use of acutely psychoactive drugs at low doses has gained recent interest in the medical community for patients exhibiting treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. San Pedro cactus has been used horticulturally as an ornamental garden plant in the United States and has been known to contain psychoactive alkaloids. In this study, we take an extract of San Pedro cactus using a Soxhlet extraction method and characterize its major alkaloids using GC-MS analysis. This characterized extract was then administered to zebrafish at various doses to observe how their behavior was affected. The movements of the fish were observed by video and analyzed using tracking software. Anxiety-related behaviors such as erratic swimming, freezing, behavior towards objects, movement speed, and social interactions were noted.