Efficacy of Endophytic Bacterium Serratia marcescens B.SB 1.1 associated with Sea Fern ( Acrostichum aureum L.) as an Antidiabetic Agent

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a primary global health concern, often progressing unnoticed until complications arise. Current antidiabetic therapies primarily aim to inhibit the α-amylase enzyme, thereby reducing blood glucose levels. Some medicinal plants are proven to be symbiotic with endophytic bacteria that produce bioactive compounds capable of inhibiting α-amylase activity. This study investigated the potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from the stem of the sea fern (Acrostichum aureum L.) to act as α-amylase inhibitors, using both in vitro and in silico studies. Phytochemical analysis of both the stem extract and cultured bacterial isolates showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. Isolate B.SB 1.1 was identified as Serratia marcescens based on 16S rRNA sequencing. The α-amylase inhibition assay demonstrated the strain as showing significant inhibitory activity, with 32.57% inhibition at 2% starch substrate concentration. In silico docking studies using LC-MS data predicted 4-propylbiphenyl and benzoin as compounds with the lowest binding energy to α-amylase, suggesting their potential as effective inhibitors. These findings highlight the efficacy and therapeutic potential of endophytic strain S. marcescens B.SB 1.1 as a novel antidiabetic agent.