Antidepressant-like deliverables from the sea: evidence on the efficacy of three different brown seaweeds via involvement of monoaminergic system.

Brown seaweeds exhibit several health benefits in treating and managing wide array of ailments. In this study, the antidepressant-like effect of methaolic extracts from Sargassum swartzii (SS), Stoechospermum marginatum (SM), and Nizamuddinia zanardinii (NZ) was examined in forced swimming test (FST), in rats. Oral administration of SS, SM, and NZ extract (30-60 mg/kg) exhibited antidepressant-like activity in FST by reducing immobility time as compared to control group, without inducing significant change in ambulatory behavior in open field test. In order to evaluate the involvement of monoaminergic system, rats were pretreated with the inhibitor of brain serotonin stores p-chlorophenylalanin (PCPA), dopamine (SCH23390 and sulpiride), and adrenoceptor (prazosin and propranolol) antagonists. Rats receiving treatment for 28 days were decapitated and brains were analyzed for monoamine levels. It may be concluded that the extracts of SS, SM, and NZ produces antidepressant-like activity via modulation of brain monoaminergic system in a rat model.

Planiliza lauvergnii (Eydoux & Souleyet, 1850), a senior synonym of Planiliza affinis (Günther, 1861) with a re-evaluation of keeled back mullets (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae).

The taxonomic status of the keeled back mullets (Teleostei: Mugilidae) has been reinvestigated. Two nominal mugilid species having keeled backs from East Asia: Mugil lauvergnii Eydoux & Souleyet, 1850 and Mugil affinis Günther, 1861 have been re-evaluated through examination of the holotypes and fresh specimens. Comparison of morpho-meristic characters of the holotypes shows that both species are identical. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) confirmed morphological data by highlighting presence of a single clade from East Asia. Mugil lauvergnii (=Planiliza lauvergnii) is thus the sole keeled back mullet from East Asia and a senior synonym of Mugil affinis (=Planiliza affinis). The taxonomic status of two other keeled back mullets, Planiliza carinata and P. klunzingeri, is also contentious due to their similar morphology. Meristic and morphometric variation as well as sequence divergence between the two species are limited but phylogenetic analyses delineate well-supported clades consistent with biogeography and currently accepted taxonomy. Planiliza carinata and P. klunzingeri share a recent common ancestor in a Maximum Likelihood tree, with separate distribution ranges while P. lauvergnii formed a paraphyletic lineage. Based on present findings, we suggest maintenance of the taxonomic distinction of P. klunzingeri and P. carinata and discuss its evolutionary significance.

Taxonomic study of the family Mugilidae from Pakistan coast (northern Arabian Sea).

This is the first thorough taxonomic study on the identification and description of mullets based on their morphometric and meristic characters distributed in the coastal waters of Pakistan. The samples were collected monthly for two years from different localities of Pakistan. Forty eight parameters including thirty nine morphometric and nine meristic characters were determined. In this study 13 species belongs to seven genera are briefly described including one new record and taxonomic key for these species is developed.

Sargassum swartzii extracts ameliorate memory functions by neurochemical modulation in a rat model.

Recently, considerable attention has been paid to drug exploration from natural sources for treating memory loss, a major manifestation of various neurodegenerative diseases. Increasing evidences implicate brain serotonin metabolism in learning and memory, supporting the notion that targeting 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) and its receptors would be beneficial in the treatment of cognitive disorders. In the present study, behavioral and neurochemical effects were examined following administration of Sargassum swartzii extracts in albino Wistar rats. Increase in spatial working memory and recognition memory was exhibited by the seaweed-treated rats as compared to controls. Plasma tryptophan, brain 5-HT, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels were measured using HPLC-ECD, and a significant increase in brain 5-HT metabolism was observed in the seaweed-treated rats. The increase in memory functions following repeated administration of S. swartzii extracts is suggested to be due to the increased serotonergic neurotransmission in the brain of seaweed-treated rats.

The sparid fishes of Pakistan, with new distribution records.

The family sparidae is represented in Pakistan by 14 species belonging to eight genera: the genus Acanthopagrus with four species, A. berda, A. arabicus, A. sheim, and A. catenula; Rhabdosargus, Sparidentex and Diplodus are each represented by two species, R. sarba and R. haffara, Sparidentex hasta and S. jamalensis, and Diplodus capensis and D. omanensis, and the remaining four genera are represented by single species, Crenidens indicus, Argyrops spinifer, Pagellus affinis, and Cheimerius nufar. Five species, Acanthopagrus arabicus, A. sheim, A. catenula, Diplodus capensis and Rhabdosargus haffara are reported for the first time from Pakistani coastal waters. The Arabian Yellowfin Seabream Acanthopagrus arabicus and Spotted Yellowfin Seabream Acanthopagrus sheim have only recently been described from Pakistani waters, while Diplodus omanensis and Pagellus affinis are newly identified from Pakistan. Acanthopagrus catenula has long been incorrectly identified as A. bifasciatus, a species which has not been recorded from Pakistan. All species are briefly described and a key is provided for them.