Antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase potentials, ADME estimations and molecular docking studies of green algae extracts

Abstract

Algae have become the center of attention due to their strong antioxidants and enzyme-inhibitory activities. In this study, green algae (Enteromorpha linza) extracts obtained using acetone, hexane and methanol were investigated. In the study, antioxidant properties, anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) potential, ADME estimations and molecular docking analyses of green algae extracts were investigated. The best binding position was obtained by docking sirsimaritin, daidzein, kaempferol, morin and myricetin to the active site of acetylcholinesterase receptor. Docking score values were calculated as -10.0, -10.3, -9.9, -9.8 and -9.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Experimental analysis revealed that the extracts showed inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Acetone and hexane extract showed good inhibition performance with IC50 values of 0.0379 mg/ml and 0.0414 mg/ml, respectively. The IC50 value for methanol extract was determined as 0.997 mg/ml. When the antioxidant activity results of the extracts were evaluated in terms of both DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacities, it was revealed that the acetone-based extract had a higher radical scavenging capacity (DPPH: 17.48%, ABTS: 83.58%) compared to the extracts obtained with other solvents. In general, the obtained results revealed that the green algae examined can be used as a source of natural agents beneficial for human health.