Assessment of clot-lysing and membrane-stabilizing capacity of ascorbic acid: In vitro approach with molecular docking

This study aimed to evaluate the clot-lysing and membrane stabilizing capacities of ascorbic acid (AA) using <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in silico</i> methods. For this, we used <i>in vitro</i> clot lysis and hemolyzing tests to check the anti-atherothrombosis and membrane-stabilizing properties of AA, respectively. Additionally, molecular docking studies were performed to investigate AA's interactions with cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and plasminogen enzymes. Findings suggest that AA exhibited a concentration-dependent effect, with 43.95 ± 1.27 % clot lysis and 64.46 ± 0.01 % membrane stabilization at 100 µg/mL. The IC₅₀ values for clot lysis and membrane stabilization were 215.19 ± 1.09 and 57.21 ± 2.11 µg/mL, respectively. <i>In silico</i> analysis showed strong binding affinities of AA with COX-1 (-6.2 kcal/mol) and plasminogen (-5.8 kcal/mol), supporting its observed clot lysis and membrane protection activities. Taken together, AA showed moderate clot-lysing and robust membrane-stabilizing effects, which may be due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. AA might be a good therapeutic agent for atherothrombosis and membrane damage, highlighting the need for further investigation into its underlying molecular mechanisms and potential clinical applications. AA shows promising clot-lysing and membrane-stabilizing effects, highlighting its therapeutic potential for atherothrombosis and membrane damage.