Abstract: We put 12/24h zebrafish embryos after fertilization into the solution of different concentrations Fructus Xanthii (FX) to investigate the toxicity of FX extract to the growth and motion behavior of zebrafish embryos. We then calculate their hatch rate, mortality rate, and heart rate under a microscope after different time. We treat 120 h zebrafish embryo for 60 minutes with different concentrations FX extract, and then record their behavior track within 0~10 m, 10~20 m, and 20~30 m with ethology analysis system. We also get swimming speed based on their swimming distance and time and their rotation value. Results show that FX extract has toxicity to 12 h zebrafish embryos after fertilization, which decrease their hatch rate. The hatch rate is below 40% when the extract concentration is greater than 15 μg/mL. FX extract of 0.93 μg/mL can increase the heart rate of 24 h zebrafish embryos (P≤0.01). We discover that swimming speed and rotation value all significantly increase when the extract concentration is greater than 3 μg/mL through ethology analysis. Our conclusion is that FX extract has toxicity to zebrafish embryos and can increase their heart rate and swimming speed.

Key words: Fructus Xanthii, zebrafish, growth, motion behavior, toxicity