Health-promoting activities of edible seaweed extracts from Chilean coasts: assessment of antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of three edible seaweed extracts from Chilean coasts: Pyropia orbicularis, Ulva spp, and Durvillaea antarctica. Seaweed extracts in methanol and 70% acetone were performed to evaluate antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, whereas 60% methanol was used to measure anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Acetone extracts from D. antarctica had the highest total phenolic content and consequently exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, while methanol extract of this seaweed presented the highest a-glucosidase inhibition (IC50= 0.004 mg mL(-1)). In the tests against E. coli and Penicillium sp., the extracts obtained from Ulva spp. were the most effective and exhibited the maximum anti-inflammatory effect against phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate irritant agent (61.8% inhibition) in mice. Results indicated that all evaluated Chilean seaweed extracts are promising candidates for application in functional foods and in the pharmaceutical industry.