Abstract:
Obesity and diabetes are major metabolic disorders which are prevalent worldwide. Algae
has played an important role in managing these disorders. In this study, Gracilaria edulis, a marine
red algae, was investigated for antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential using in vitro models. Depolysaccharide
methanol extract of G. edulis was sequentially partitioned with hexane, chloroform,
ethyl acetate, and antioxidants, and hypoglycemic potentials were evaluated using multiple
methods. High antioxidant potential was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction in terms of ferric
reducing antioxidant power, iron chelating, and DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities,
while the crude methanol extract exhibited potent oxygen radical‐absorbance capacity. Potent α‐
amylase inhibitory activity was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction, while the ethyl acetate fraction
was effective against α‐glucosidase inhibition. Glucose diffusion was inhibited by the ethyl acetate
fraction at 180 min, and the highest antiglycation activity was observed in both chloroform and ethyl
acetate fractions. Additionally, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate
fraction revealed the presence of several potent anti‐diabetic compounds. In conclusion, G. edulis
exhibited promising antidiabetic potential via multiple mechanisms. The ethyl acetate fraction
exhibited the strongest hypoglycemic and antiglycation potential among the four fractions, and
hence the isolation of active compounds is required to develop leads for new drugs to treat diabetes.
