Harnessing the multidimensional bioactivity of Chaetomorpha aerea: Integrative phytochemical profiling with in vitro, in vivo, and in silico insights

Abstract

Background: Chaetomorpha aerea, a marine green alga, has drawn attention because of its rich phytochemical constituents and therapeutic benefits. Using an integrated approach that combined in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches, this work examined the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic qualities of acetone extract of C. aerea (AECA).

Methods: Total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of AECA were measured. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays. In vitro protein denaturation and in vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema models were employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential, whereas antidiabetic activity was assessed using in vitro α-amylase inhibition and in vivo oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Molecular docking and ADME/T analysis were employed to further analyze bioactive compounds identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

Result: Antioxidant activity demonstrated a minimum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 107.44 μg/mL for DPPH and 118.23 μg/mL for ABTS. In vitro anti-inflammatory assays indicated a suppression of protein denaturation at a concentration of 102 μg/mL (IC₅₀), where AECA (400 mg/kg) resulted in a 27% reduction in paw edema at 6 h in the mouse model. In vitro antidiabetic test indicated α-amylase inhibition with an IC₅₀ value of 70.72 μg/mL, and in the OGTT, a significant lowering of blood glucose was recorded at 120 min in mice. Strong binding affinities were observed for stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3-ol, identified using GC–MS, with values of −9.9 kcal/mol for α-amylase and − 8.0 kcal/mol for cyclooxygenase-2.

Conclusion: C. aerea serves as an effective natural remedy for oxidative stress, inflammation, and hyperglycemia. These findings advocate for further clinical and mechanistic investigations to optimize therapeutic efficacy.

Keywords

anthelmintic / antiarthritic / anti-inflammatory / antioxidant / Chaetomorpha aerea / computational chemistry / seaweed / α-amylase

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