3.1. Chemical Characterization of PSOP
In this study, the yield of PSOP was estimated to be 32.65 %. According to Arunkuma et al. [
37], crude polysaccharides isolated from
L. papillosa and
L. obtusa yielded around 4 % and 6 %, respectively. Polysaccharide yields vary according to species, environmental conditions, and extraction methods [
38], [
39]. The total sugar content of PSOP was about 88.12 % ± 1.1 %, which was higher than what was reported for algae
L. pedicularioides and L. cruciata (44.8 % and 49.4 %, respectively) [
40]. The results of various colorimetric tests showed that the polysaccharide analyzed contained low levels of protein (0.18 % ± 0.02 %) and low levels of sulfate (0.69 %), proving the extraction method’s precision. The polysaccharide obtained by ethanol precipitation frequently contains contaminants, such as proteins, which require purification by deproteinization [
41]. However, this process can alter carbohydrate yields, modify monosaccharide composition, influence structural parameters, and affect polysaccharide bioactivity [
42], [
43]. Following on from the proteins discussed above, it’s worth pointing out that sulfate groups linked to polysaccharides also influence crucial biological functions, such as antitumor, anticoagulant, and immunomodulatory effects [
44].
3.2. Spectroscopic Analysis and Monosaccharide Composition
Figure 2A illustrates the UV-visible spectra of PSOP. Our finding revealed a maximum absorption peak between 200 and 240 nm, which confirms that our sample is a polysaccharide [
45]. A weak peak was observed at 260-280 nm, which indicates the presence of the protein trace or nucleic acid covalently linked to PSOP [
46]. An absorption area identified at around 300 nm was attributed to trace pigments.
As is well known, FT-IR spectroscopy can be used to identify structural features of polymer blends, such as distinct organic groups in the polysaccharide.
Figure 2B shows that PSOP exhibited absorption peaks typical of polysaccharides between 700 and 4000 cm
-1. A broad hydroxyl group O-H stretching vibration peak was recorded at around 3389 cm
-1 due to intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bands. Subsequently, a weak peak detected at about 2929 cm
-1 was attributed to the C-H stretching vibration of sugars [
47], indicating that the sample was a polysaccharide compound. Peaks appearing at about 1637 and 1412 cm
-1, respectively, were attributed to carboxylate bond stretching, demonstrating that PSOP was an acidic polysaccharide [
48]; this suggests the presence of uronic acids, an observation corroborated by analysis of monosaccharide composition. The hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of polysaccharides are essential to their biological properties, notably to enhance their antitumor and antioxidant effects [
49]. In addition, the weak absorbance peak at 1369 cm
-1 was attributed to ester sulfate S=O groups [
50]. Absorption peaks between 1136 and 1047 cm
-¹ were associated with C-O-C and C-O-H stretching vibrations, characteristic of the pyranose ring structure [
51]. Combined, weak absorptions around 800 and 900 cm
-1 originate from the stretching vibration of the C-O-S [
52], indicating the existence of α and β configurations in the polysaccharide.
Figure 3A represents the HPLC-RID chromatogram of the monosaccharides detected in the PSOP. The analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with a refractive index detector revealed the presence of the different monosaccharides, in particular, glucuronic acid, arabinose, glucose, xylose, and fructose, at retention times of 8.32, 9.39, 11.19, 12.13 and 13.64 min, respectively, by elution time of monosaccharide standards
Figure 3B. Further research reveals that red algae polysaccharides are made up of a heterogeneous combination of monosaccharides. For example, the polysaccharide obtained in enzyme extracts from the alga
O. pinnatifida was composed of galactose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, rhamnose, and fucose [
53]. The monosaccharide composition of
Laurencia dendroidal polysaccharide is mainly galactose, with smaller amounts of xylose, mannose, and glucose [
54]. However, several exogenous factors such as protocol, water concentration, extraction temperature, and endogenous factors in the organisms (type of species, reproductive cycle...) can influence the polysaccharide composition [
55], [
56]. Indeed, the nature and proportion of monosaccharides present represent a key element affecting the activity of polysaccharides, which can confer new bioactive properties or reinforce existing ones [
57].
The molecular weight (Mw) profile was analyzed by steric exclusion chromatography (SEC), revealing that PSOP had a molecular weight of 146 kDa, with a retention time of 7.25 min (
Figure 4). In reality, the molecular weight of polysaccharides has a considerable influence on their biological activities. In a study by Lee and his collaborators [
58], a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide (3 kDa) was obtained by controlled degradation of a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide (2238 kDa). The results showed that the low-molecular-weight polysaccharide possessed superior antioxidant activity and more effectively stimulated the immune response in specific organs subjected to oxidative stress than the higher-molecular-weight polysaccharide.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a technique that produces images of the surface of polysaccharides to analyze their structure, including shape, size, and porosity [
59]. Scanning electron micrographs of PSOP are illustrated in
Figure 5A. It was observed that PSOP under 10- and 20-fold magnification had a microstructure in the form of a network with many cavities and had a highly developed porosity over the entire surface area with some heterogeneity, which explains an improved ability to supply oxygen and absorb exudates; a valuable feature from a pharmacological and cosmeceutical point of view [
60].
X-ray diffraction is a technique mainly used to identify polysaccharides’ crystalline or amorphous structure [
61].
Figure 5B illustrates that the XRD diffractogram of PSOP, over a diffraction range of 0-80°, displays a broad diffuse band with a dominant peak at around 32° (2θ), accompanied by several other less pronounced peaks. This distribution suggests that PSOP has a semi-crystalline structure in an amorphous matrix. The degree of crystallinity of polysaccharides strongly influences their properties, such as mechanical strength, solubility, and swelling capacity [
62]. For example, semi-crystalline to crystalline polysaccharides have improved water retention capacity, making them ideal for applications such as hydrogels, biofilms, nanofibers, membranes, and the medical field [
63].
3.3. Antioxidant Activity of PSOP
Seaweed is increasingly seen as a natural source of antioxidant compounds [
64]. Such components can be used in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries to protect products from oxidative damage and further deterioration [
65]. Three tests were used to assess the reducing and scavenging capacity of PSOP extracted from
Osmundea pinnatifid algae: DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, iron reduction capacity (RPA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). As shown in
Figure 6, the antioxidant capacity of PSOP is critical and increases with polysaccharide concentration. The data shown in
Figure 6A revealed that the extract at high concentration (5 mg/mL) exhibited a free radical scavenging activity against DPPH of around 68.9 %. However, BHA shows a high activity of around 97 % at a 0.5 mg/mL concentration. The antioxidant capacity of polysaccharides may be linked to the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyls and carboxyls and to their sulfate content, which scavenges the free radical DPPH [
66], [
67].
The reducing power test is used to assess the antioxidant efficacy of various substances [
68]. As shown in
Figure 6B, the data reveal that PSOP exhibited a reducing power that correlated with increasing concentrations. A higher absorbance value indicates a more robust reducing capacity. The PSOP polysaccharide showed maximum activity at a concentration of 7 mg/mL (1.33 at OD 700 nm). Nevertheless, this activity was lower than BHA 2.9 at OD 700 nm. The reducing capacity of polysaccharides remains dependent on bioactive elements such as uronic acids, glucuronic acids, and other monosaccharide units [
69].
The results of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of PSOP in the phosphorus-molybdenum assay are shown in
Figure 6C. The data reveal that PSOP exhibited different degrees of activity, which increased with increasing concentration. However, BHA showed higher activity than PSOP at all the concentrations tested. For example, at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, BHA was able to reduce molybdenum Mo (VI) to Mo (V) with a level of 180 μmol/mL α-tocopherol compared to 49 μmol/mL α-tocopherol for PSOP at the same concentration. According to Abdelhedi et al. [
70], efficiency (TAC) could be associated with the sulfate levels present in polysaccharides. In addition, Gunasekaran and collaborators have also demonstrated that sulfonic groups in polysaccharides can act as electron donors, reacting to transform free radicals into more stable compounds [
71].
3.4. Angiogenesis Stimulation Assays
The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test is frequently used to examine different molecules’ angio-inhibitory and angio-stimulatory potential [
72]. Our results have shown that PSOP action is clear and potent. It potentially caused an increase in the number of vessel branches according to the dose.
Figure 7I and
Table 1 show that CAM treated with different concentrations of PSOP revealed well-developed areas of neovascularization (137.22 % ± 3.7 %, 200.66 % ± 2.73 % and 250.66 % ± 3.49 % vessels for 25, 50 and 100 μg/egg, respectively) compared with the group which was not treated (set at 100 %) (p < 0.05). Diclofenac (DIC), used as an anti-angiogenic agent to validate the CAM model [
73], demonstrated an ability to inhibit the process of new blood vessel formation, thereby reducing neovascularization (71.14% ± 3.97%) compared to the untreated group (p < 0.05). Choriogonadotropin (CG), used as a positive control for its pro-angiogenic role [
74], significantly increased blood vessel formation (168.36% ± 2.72%) compared to the untreated group (p < 0.05). Since angiogenesis is a critical factor that promotes new blood vessel formation after chronic or ischemic wounding [
75]. Angiogenesis involves phenomena such as hypoxia or inflammation, which lead to the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the release of growth factors that promote the creation of new blood vessels [
76]. Among the various factors involved in angiogenesis, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) stands out as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. This cytokine acts on endothelial cells, producing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [
77]. VEGF promotes cell proliferation, activates the expression of specific genes, stimulates nitric oxide production, and supports cell survival [
78], [
79]. Numerous studies have shown that polysaccharides can regulate the expression and activity of growth factors involved in angiogenesis, including VEGF [
80], [
81]. Therefore, our results indicate that PSOP may influence angiogenesis by activating the inflammatory process and increasing levels of VEGF and TNF-α.
3.7. Computational Findings
The PSOP-identified monosaccharides showed different affinities to two targeted receptors (
Table 2). Nevertheless, they all had negative binding affinities, which might support their biological effects. The predicted binding affinities ranged between −5.6 and −6.4 kcal/mol for COX-2 and −4.1 and −4.6 kcal/mol for VEGF. Such variations have been reported to be the result of 3D chemical structures of the ligands ([
34], [
33], [
93]). The identified monosaccharides established acceptable molecular interactions with both targeted receptors, including four to six conventional H-bonds (
Table 3). The established molecular interactions concerned several key residues. For instance, fructose while complexed with COX-2, fructose interacted twice with ASN
39 and once with each of CYS
47, GLU
465, CYS
41, and GLY
45 (
Table 3 and
Figure 13). While complexed with VEGF, glucose interacted twice with LEU
39 and once with THR
36, LEU
35, and LYS
45. PSOP units were also deeply embedded in the pocket region of the targeted receptors and showed a vicinity of up to 2.072 Å only.
Deep embedding (<2.5 Å), as those of the current study, was previously reported to enhance the bioactivities such as antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, toxicity alleviation, and antimicrobial effects ([
32], [
93], [
34], [
35]). The binding affinities, the deep embedding, and the revealed molecular interactions of PSOP building blocks indicate that the pro-angiogenic and wound-healing potential effects of PSOP chemicals are thermodynamically possible. These predicted bioactivities had already been confirmed by the
in vitro study in rats. Our results support the beneficial effects of natural-derived compounds, phytotherapy, and medicinal plants, including algae ([
94], [
93], [
35]).