Involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis in the antistress activities of Tenebrio molitor Larvae in zebrafish

Abstract In this study, the antistress effects of the water extract of Tenebrio molitor larvae (WTML) were investigated. To determine the effects of WTML on fish stress, changes in whole-body cortisol levels and behaviour were monitored in zebrafish (Danio rerio). To induce physical stress, we used net handling stress (NHS). Fish were treated with WTML for 6 min before exposure to stress. Then, the fish were used for evaluation via behavioural tests, including novel tank tests and open field tests, or sacrificed for collection of the whole body fluid. Increased anxiety-like behaviours in the novel tank test and open field test under stress were significantly and concentration-dependently recovered after treatment with WTML (p