Investigating the Therapeutic Potential of Gracilaria edulis Extract in Copper-exposed Zebrafish Embryos: An Anti-inflammatory Perspective

Introduction: Harnessing the bioactive compounds from seaweed for inflammatory diseases holds great promise for developing new and effective treatments that are natural, sustainable, and potentially free from the side effects commonly associated with synthetic drugs. Method: The objective of this study was to examine the phytochemical levels, as well as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the edible red seaweed Gracilaria edulis. The methanol extract of the seaweed showed potent radical scavenging activity. Analysis using GC-MS techniques identified two distinct phytochemical compounds in G. edulis extract, namely 1,1-dipropylhydrazine and 4-chlorobuten-3-yne. Results: When tested on copper-induced zebrafish embryos, the extract reversed the upregulation of MMP9 and NFκBp65, as evidenced by western blotting and zymography methods. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the bioactive compounds found in G. edulis extract could be utilized for the development of natural sources for antiradicals, food supplements, nutraceuticals, and various functional foods with therapeutic applications.