Exploring the Pharmaceutical Potential of Meretrix casta (Gmelin, 1791) (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

Meretrix casta, a marine mollusk, has been recognized traditionally for its nutritional and medicinal properties. This study aims to investigate the pharmacological potential of M. casta extracts, specifically focusing on the antioxidant, hemolytic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. The antioxidant activity, assessed via hydrogen peroxide scavenging and phosphomolybdate assays, revealed concentration-dependent inhibition, with the methanol extract showing 61.04% inhibition at 100 µg/mL compared to 61.19% for ethyl acetate, while the standard ascorbic acid exhibited 87.80%. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using heat-induced hemolysis, hypotonicity-induced hemolysis and protein denaturation assays. Both extracts demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects, with the ethyl acetate extract achieving 85.40% inhibition of hemolysis, closely matching acetylsalicylic acid’s 90.50% and methanol extract showing 87.60% at 100 µg/mL. Antibacterial and antifungal assays demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, with the methanolic extract frequently exhibiting higher efficacy. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of M. casta extracts as natural bioactive agents. Future investigations should aim to isolate and characterize the specific bioactive compounds underlying these pharmacological effects and to explore their mechanisms of action in detail. Such studies could pave the way for new therapies derived from marine biodiversity, addressing various health challenges.