Abstract
Metabolic and inflammatory diseases represent a major public health challenge, highlighting the need to explore new therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the biological and therapeutic potential of Apium graveolens (celery) leaf extracts through an integrated approach combining in vitro, in vivo, and in silico analyses. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols (flavonoids and tannins), as well as essential minerals, including potassium (K), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn). The in vitro assays demonstrated notable antioxidant activity of the extract, with an inhibition rate of 74.20 ± 0.20%, compared with 80.41 ± 0.16% for ascorbic acid, used as the reference standard. Significant anti-inflammatory activity was also observed, with an inhibition rate of 75.0 ± 0.16%, compared with 99.4 ± 0.16% for diclofenac. Furthermore, the extract exhibited a high glucose-sequestration capacity, reaching 87.7%, suggesting a potential effect on glucose availability. The in vivo study also demonstrated a hypoglycemic effect, characterized by a reduction in blood glucose levels in the animals studied. Finally, molecular docking revealed that apigenin, a flavonoid identified as a compound of interest, exhibited favorable binding affinity toward the enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase, with values comparable to or more favorable than those obtained for the reference drugs, particularly glibenclamide and acarbose. Overall, these findings suggest that Apium graveolens represents a promising source of bioactive compounds that may contribute to the regulation of glucose metabolism and the modulation of inflammatory processes. However, further investigations, including toxicological, pharmacokinetic, and clinical studies, are needed to confirm these effects and establish their therapeutic relevance in humans.
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