Zebrafish in Drug Research: Decoding Biological Mechanisms and Finding Novel Therapeutic Targets

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 03 | Page : 1 8
    By

    Ashish Kushwaha,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, JBIT College of Pharmacy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The zebrafish, scientifically known as Danio rerio, is a powerful model organism in biological research because of its favorable traits, which include rapid development, genetic tractability, and transparent embryos. Zebrafish were first identified for their use in studies of vertebrate development, but they have since spread to a variety of disciplines, such as pharmacology, clinical research as a disease model, and most notably, drug development. Zebrafish have emerged as a cost-effective and practical alternative to traditional mammalian models in numerous biomedical research areas. Their utility spans a wide range of applications such as lead compound screening, identification of molecular targets, morpholino oligonucleotide-based gene function studies, assay development, and the evaluation of drug toxicity. Due to their genetic similarity to humans, transparent embryos, and rapid development, zebrafish serve as an ideal in vivo model for understanding complex biological processes. This review highlights the key characteristics that contribute to the zebrafish’s growing significance in research, especially in the field of pharmacology. It emphasizes their vital role in accelerating drug discovery and development, offering a simplified yet reliable system for studying disease mechanisms, therapeutic responses, and adverse drug reactions, making them an invaluable asset in pharmaceutical research.

Keywords: Toxicity, zebrafish, pharmacology, drug development, embryos, genetic

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology ]

How to cite this article:
Ashish Kushwaha. Zebrafish in Drug Research: Decoding Biological Mechanisms and Finding Novel Therapeutic Targets. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology. 2025; 15(03):1-8.
How to cite this URL:
Ashish Kushwaha. Zebrafish in Drug Research: Decoding Biological Mechanisms and Finding Novel Therapeutic Targets. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology. 2025; 15(03):1-8. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjot/article=2025/view=233356


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 03
Received 10/05/2025
Accepted 25/08/2025
Published 02/12/2025
Publication Time 206 Days
149

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