Phytochemical profiling, enzyme inhibition and computational analysis of the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential of Spirogyra sp.

The increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity has stimulated interest in natural sources of bioactive compounds with potential metabolic health benefits. Freshwater algae, including Spirogyra species, are recognized as rich sources of nutritionally and pharmacologically relevant metabolites; however, their anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential remains insufficiently explored. The current study comprehensively assessed the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities of Spirogyra sp. using an integrated approach comprising chemical profiling, in-vitro enzyme inhibition assays, molecular docking, ADMET prediction, and network pharmacology analysis. Amino acid analysis indicated a well-balanced ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids, highlighting its nutritional value. GC–MS analysis yielded lipid-derived metabolites, primarily n-hexadecanoic acid (21.04%), while LC-MS analysis identified a predominant semi-polar compound (m/z 355.0690), tentatively identified as a chlorogenic acid-like compound. The extract showed dose-dependent inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase with IC₅₀ values of 308.23, 217.99, and 239.66 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking analysis predicted favorable binding affinities of the tentatively identified chlorogenic acid-like compound to α-glucosidase (−9.0 kcal/mol) and α-amylase (−7.6 kcal/mol). ADMET prediction provided preliminary pharmacokinetic and toxicity insights for the selected compounds, whereas KEGG pathway analysis identified potential target–pathway associations involving diabetic cardiomyopathy and PPAR signaling pathways. Overall, the findings suggest that Spirogyra sp.-derived metabolites may possess anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential through interactions with multiple molecular targets relevant to metabolic disorders.