Pharmacological Potential of Tetilla dactyloidea: Anthelmintic, Thrombolytic, Anti-inflammatory and Antipyretic Activities through In vitro, In vivo, and In silico Approaches

Abstract

Tetilla dactyloidea, a marine sponge predominantly found along the eastern coast of Bangladesh, was examined for its anthelmintic, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. By systematically evaluating its activities, this research aims to contribute valuable insights into the bioactive compounds of T. dactyloidea and their potential role in drug development. The pharmacological potential of acetone extracts from Tetilla dactyloidea was investigated using integrated in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches. Anthelmintic activity was assessed against Tubifex tubifex by recording the time to paralysis and death. The thrombolytic effect was examined through a clot lysis assay employing human blood samples. Anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by Protein denaturation assay of egg albumin, whereas antipyretic effect was tested via Brewer's Yeast-Induced Pyrexia method. Chemical constituents were identified through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Computational approaches included bioactivity prediction via PASS online, ADME/T profiling, and molecular docking to explore interactions between major compounds and selected target proteins. In vitro studies, including anthelmintic testing on the aquarium worm Tubifex tubifex, demonstrated that the sponge extract exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic effects. The extract also showed moderate thrombolytic activity, performing better than the control but lower than streptokinase in a dose-dependent manner. Anti-inflammatory potential was confirmed through a protein denaturation assay, where the sponge extracts inhibited egg albumin denaturation by 81.30% at 125 μg/mL. Additionally, the sponge extract exhibited significant antipyretic activity at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg in Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia (p < 0.05). Molecular docking studies indicated that compounds from T. dactyloidea extracts had strong binding affinities to key drug targets associated with anthelmintic, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities. These results highlight the potential of T. dactyloidea for therapeutic applications, warranting further research.