Transcriptome analysis reveals the anti-Parkinson's activity of Mangiferin in zebrafish

As the global population ages, the incidence of Parkinson's Disease (PD) continues to rise, imposing significant social and economic burdens. Mangiferin (MGF), a polyphenolic, bioactive compound has been shown to play a role in the prevention and treatment of PD. This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of MGF in an MPTP-induced zebrafish model of PD through transcriptome analysis. Initially, optimal concentrations for modeling were determined using various MPTP and MGF combinations. The zebrafish were then divided into control, MPTP-treated, and MGF co-treated groups. Subsequent evaluations included hatching rates, mortality rates, growth and development conditions, spontaneous motor abilities, as well as measurements of enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, and levels of GSH. Ultimately, the therapeutic efficacy of MGF on the PD model in zebrafish was assessed through transcriptome sequencing. The results demonstrated that MPTP treatment induced PD-associated symptoms in zebrafish, while MGF treatment significantly improved the motor abilities and survival rates of the PD model zebrafish, effectively reducing oxidative stress and ameliorating PD symptoms. Transcriptome sequencing further revealed that MGF may mitigate mitochondrial-related oxidative stress in PD zebrafish by modulating the expression of critical genes including lrrk2, vps35, atp13a, dnajc6, and uchl1. Differential gene expression analysis indicated that these genes are primarily involved in vital signaling pathways, such as neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and the calcium signaling pathway. In summary, our study provides robust scientific evidence supporting MGF as a potential therapeutic candidate for PD by preserving mitochondrial homeostasis and elucidating its mechanisms of action.