IN VITRO EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIOXIDANT, AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF THE MARINE ALGAE ULVA LACTUCA OBTAINED FROM THE WEST COAST OF ALGERIA

Within the framework of the valorization of the marine algal biomass of the Algerian coast, our study consists of a phytochemical screening and an evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the green alga Ulva lactuca from the Algerian west coast (Ain Temouchent). Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by the bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay, while antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The results of phytochemical screening of the algae studied showed a diversity of secondary metabolites produced, namely flavonoids and tannins, and the absence of terpenoids, free quinones, and reducing compounds. In the present study, the maximum effect of inhibition of BSA denaturation was observed at a concentration of 150 μg/ml, with 51, 65%, and 53.74% for our extract and diclofenac, respectively. With an IC50 of 107.94 μg/ml for the methanolic extract and 23.03 μg/ml for Diclofenac. For antioxidant activity results, the percentage of DPPH inhibition is 58.79% at the 800 μg/ml concentration. Our green alga shows positive antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 592.776 μg/ml. According to the results, our seaweed extract has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Our findings are still preliminary, and further research is needed to fully understand the mode of action of the bioactive compounds and the optimal therapeutic dosage. This could lead to the production of pharmaceutical products with significant therapeutic value.