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

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the clot-lysing and membrane stabilizing capacities of ascorbic acid (AA) using in vitro and in silico methods. For this, we used in vitro 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. In silico 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.

Keywords

• Ascorbic acid
• Cyclooxygenase-1
• Plasminogen
• Protective effects