Seagrass as a Nutraceutical Agent against Proinflammatory Markers

Abstract

Background The Pro-inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins (PGE2), nitric oxide and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) are the key players in the stimulation of the inflammatory responses. Thus, the pro inflammatory mediators are considered to be potential targets for screening nutraceutical with anti-inflammatory activity. Methods In this context, we explored the potency of seagrass extract by using lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages as an experimental model. The anti-inflammatory activity of seagrass was assessed through the down regulation of marker enzymes of inflammation such as COX-2 and nitric oxide and also the inhibition of pro inflammatory mediators. Results The phytochemical constituents of seagrass namely Isocoumarin, Hexadecanoic acid, and Cis-9 Octadecenoic acid, 1,2 Benzene dicarboxylic acid and beta-sitosterol were docked with TNF-alpha, COX-2, iNOS and PGES-1 by using Mastero 13.0 software to establish the potential of seagrass metabolites on the modulation of pro inflammatory enzymes and mediators and to prove the significance of seagrass as nutraceutical agent for inflammation. Conclusions The methanolic extract of seagrass Halophila beccarii is a potential nutraceutical agent to fight against inflammation with a significant anti-inflammatory activity by controlling the secretion of pro inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, COX-2, iNOS and mPGES.Thus, Inflammation is resolved by regulating the inflammatory pathway mediated by PGE2, TNF-α, NO and down regulation of COX-2 and iNOS.