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Potential Health Benefits of Spirulina platensis

January 2011

Authors:

Divi Jalaja kumari

Teaching Faculty.

B. Babitha

Acharya Nagarjuna University

Mohammad Ibrahim

Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences

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PHARMANEST -

An International Journal of Advances In Pharmaceutical Sciences

Vol.2 (2 - 3) September –October -2011 www.pharmanest.net 1

REVIEW ARTICLE

POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS

D.JALAJA KUMARI1, B. BABITHA1, SK. JAFFAR*2, M.GURU PRASAD2

MD. IBRAHIM3 and MD.SIDDQUE AHMED KHAN3

1 Department of Foods and Nutritional Sciences, Acharya Nagarjuna University.

2 Department of Biochemistry, Acharya Nagarjuna University.

3. Dept of Biochemistry, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, A.P, India.

ABSTRACT:

Spirulina

is free-floating filamentous micro algae growing in alkaline water bodies. With its high

nutritional value,

Spirulina

has been consumed as food for centuries in Central Africa. It is now widely used as

nutraceutical food supplement worldwide. Recently, great attention and extensive studies have been devoted to

evaluate its therapeutic benefits on an array of diseased conditions including hypercholesterolemia,

hyperglycerolemia, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, cancer, and viral infections. The cardiovascular

benefits of

Spirulina

are primarily resulted from its hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Data from preclinical studies with various animal models consistently demonstrate the hypolipidemic activity of

Spirulina

. Although differences in study design, sample size, and patient conditions resulting in minor inconsistency

in response to

Spirulina

supplementation, the findings from human clinical trials are largely consistent with the

hypolipidemic effects of

Spirulina

observed in the preclinical studies. However, most of the human clinical trials are

suffered with limited sample size and some with poor experimental design. The antioxidant and/or anti-

inflammatory activities of

Spirulina

were demonstrated in a large number of preclinical studies. However, a limited

number of clinical trials have been carried out so far to confirm such activities in human. Currently, our

understanding on the underlying mechanisms for

Spirulina

’s activities, especially the hypolipidemic effect, is limited.

Spirulina

is generally considered safe for human consumption supported by its long history of use as food source and

its favorable safety profile in animal studies.

KEYWORDS:

Spirulina platensis, Diabetes, Hypertension, hypolipidemic, and antioxidants

INTRODUCTION

Spirulina is classified within the phylum of

Cyanobacteria. Popular food and nutritional

supplements, this Cyanobacterium exists as either

blue-green bacteria or blue-green algae.

Spirulina

is a

specific type of blue-green vegetable micro-algae, and

is unique to only lakes which exhibit a high

alkalinity. Certain African, Asian, and Mexican

civilizations located within the vicinities of such lakes

began to unravel spirulina’s beneficial medicinal

properties thousands of years ago. Today, its

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An International Journal of Advances In Pharmaceutical Sciences

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worldwide popularity continues to grow as many

health conscious consumers recurrently praise its

extraordinary nutritional qualities.

Spirulina’s nutritional qualities are truly

―one-of-a-kind.‖ With its structure consisting of

nearly 71 percent total protein, spirulina represents

the highest natural source of protein ever discovered.

Its protein is fives times that of meat, and nearly three

times greater than the protein of the ever-popular

soybean. In addition to this astounding amino acid

profile, spirulina also contains a host of other

beneficial nutrients including; carotenoids, essential

fatty acids, B complex vitamins, vitamin E, copper,

manganese, magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc. [1]

In fact, spirulina’s minerals and growth factor

qualities are only second to milk and evening

primrose oil. Preparations of

Spirulina

are also used

for their therapeutic properties in the treatment of

many diseases, including hypercholesterolemia and

atherosclerosis [2, 3] as well as to reduce body weight

in obese humans [4]. The

Spirulina

components

which are responsible for these therapeutic properties

are thought to be compounds with antioxidant

abilities such as polyunsaturated fatty acids,

phycocyanin and phenolics [6, 5, and 7].

SPIRULINA AND CHRONIC FATIGUE.

Spirulina

has been promoted as ―the food of

the future‖ with ―exceptional constituents‖ that

contribute to high energy levels. A few of these

constituents such as polysaccharides (Rhamnose and

Glycogen) and essential fat (GLA) are absorbed easily

by human cells and help in energy release.

Spirulina

increases healthy lactobacillus in the intestine,

enabling the production of Vitamin B6 that also helps

in energy release. Despite this promotion, the only

available placebo-controlled randomized trial showed

that the scores of fatigue were not significantly

different between

spirulina

and placebo. Spirulina

administered at a dose of 3 g day−1 did not

ameliorate fatigue more than the placebo in any of

the four subjects and possibly it has no effect on

chronic fatigue [7].

ALLERGY, RHINITIS, AND IMMUNOMODULATION.

It has been well documented that

Spirulina

exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting

the release of histamine from mast cells [8, 9]. In a

recent randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled

trial [10], individuals with allergic rhinitis were fed

daily, either with placebo or

Spirulina

for 12 weeks.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated

before and after the

Spirulina

feeding and levels of

cytokines (interleukin- 4 (IL-4), interferon-γ

(IFN-γ)

and interleukin-2), which are important in regulating

immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated allergy, were

measured. The study showed that high dose of

Spirulina

significantly reduced IL-4 levels by 32%,

demonstrating the protective effects of this microalga

toward allergic rhinitis. Ishii et al. [11] studied the

influence of

Spirulina

on IgA levels in human saliva

and demonstrated that it enhances IgA production,

suggesting a pivotal role of micro alga in mucosal

immunity. A Japanese team identified the molecular

mechanism of the human immune capacity of

Spirulina

by analyzing blood cells of volunteers with

pre- and post-oral administration of hot water extract

Spirulina platensis

. IFN-γ

production and Natural

Killer (NK) cell damage were increased after

administration of the micro alga extracts to male

volunteers [12]. In a recent double-blind, placebo-

controlled study from Turkey evaluating the

effectiveness and tolerability of

Spirulina

for treating

patients with allergic rhinitis,

Spirulina

consumption

significantly improved the symptoms and physical

findings compared with placebo (

P < .

001), including

nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion and

itching [13]. It is well understood that deficiency of

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nutrients is responsible for changes in immunity,

which manifests as changes in production of T-cells,

secretory IgA antibody response, cytokines and NK-

cell activity. The above studies suggest that

Spirulina

may modulate the immune system by its role in

covering nutritional deficiencies.

ANTIVIRAL APPLICATIONS: IN VITRO STUDIES.

There are no

in vivo

studies providing strong

evidence supporting the possible antiviral properties

Spirulina

. The active component of the water

extract of

S. platensis

is a sulfated polysaccharide,

calcium spirulan (Ca-Sp). According to Hayashi et al.

[14], Ca-Sp inhibits the

in vitro

replication of several

enveloped viruses including Herpes simplex type I,

human cytomegalovirus, measles and mumps virus,

influenza A virus and human immunodeficiency

virus-1 virus (HIV-1). Another more recent study

showed

in vitro

that an aqueous extract of

S. platensis

inhibited HIV-1 replication in human T-cells,

peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Langerhan

cells [15]. The advantage of using herbs and algal

products with proven antiviral properties in fighting

certain viruses is that they can be used—through

immunomodulation—even when the infection is

established. Of course, the above promising effects

need to be studied further in animal models and

humans before any definitive conclusions are drawn.

CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING EFFECTS AND EFFECTS

ON DIABETES.

Cardiovascular disease remains the number

one cause of death in developed countries, despite

increased awareness, and high cholesterol is one of

the most important risk factors in atherosclerosis.

Nakaya et al. [16], in the first human study, gave 4.2

g day−1 of

Spirulina

to 15 male volunteers and,

although there was no significant increase in high-

density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, they observed a

significant reduction of Low-density lipoprotein

(LDL) cholesterol after 8 weeks of treatment. The

atherogenic effect also declined significantly in the

above group [16]. Ramamurthy and Premakumari

[17] in a more recent study administered

Spirulina

supplements in ischemic heart disease patients and

found a significant reduction in blood cholesterol,

triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and an increase in

HDL cholesterol. More research is needed before

Spirulina

can be recommended to lower cholesterol

levels but its role as a natural food supplement in

combating hyperlipidaemia, in combination with

other therapeutic options, should not be overlooked.

Finally, Mani et al. [18] in a clinical study, found a

significant reduction in LDL: HDL ratio in 15 diabetic

patients who were given

Spirulina

. However, this

study was small and better studies are needed before

Spirulina

can be recommended in diabetes.

ANTICANCER EFFECTS

It has been argued that the combined

antioxidant and immune modulation characteristics

Spirulina

may have a possible mechanism of tumor

destruction and hence play a role in cancer

prevention. Whilst there are many animal and

vitro

studies, there has been only one trial with

human subjects. This study looked specifically at the

effects of

Spirulina

on oral carcinogenesis, in

particular leukoplakia [19]. It is not surprising that

few human studies exist to date as cancer prevention

trials with lower cancer incidence as an endpoint

have logistic problems, rendering them essentially

impossible to conduct for most malignancies. The

study conducted by Mathew et al. on a cohort of 77

patients originates from previous trials on hamsters

that showed tumor regression after topical

application or enteral intake of

Spirulina

extract [20–

22]. They reported that 45% of their study cohort

showed complete regression of leukoplakia after

taking

Spirulina

supplements for 1 year. The authors

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An International Journal of Advances In Pharmaceutical Sciences

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also reported that there was no rise in the serum

concentration of retinal β-carotene despite

supplementation and concluded that other

constituents within

Spirulina

may have been

responsible for the anticancer effects. Whilst their

results appear promising, it was an unblended, non-

randomized trial and as such cannot be regarded as

evidence of a positive effect.

CHRONIC ARSENIC POISONING: A RANDOMIZED

TRIAL

Millions of people in Bangladesh, India,

Taiwan and Chile are consuming high concentration

of arsenic through drinking water and are at risk of

chronic arsenic poisoning for which there is no

specific treatment. A placebo-controlled, double blind

study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of

spirulina extract plus zinc in the treatment of chronic

arsenic poisoning [23]. Forty-one patients with

chronic arsenic poisoning were randomly treated by

either placebo (17 patients) or spirulina extract (250

mg) plus zinc (2 mg) (24 patients) twice daily for 16

weeks. Each patient was supplied with arsenic-safe

drinking water by installing a locally made water

filter at household level. Effectiveness of spirulina

extract plus zinc was evaluated by comparing

changes in skin manifestations (clinical scores) and

arsenic contents in urine and hair, between the

placebo- and spirulina extract plus zinc-treated

groups. Results showed that spirulina extract plus

zinc twice daily for 16 weeks may be useful for the

treatment of chronic arsenic poisoning with

melanosis and keratosis.More randomized trials are

required but the results are promising.

ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS: No

Invivo

Studies.

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is one of the major

biliproteins of

Spirulina

with antioxidant and radical

scavenging properties. C-PC, a selective

cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, induces apoptosis in

lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7

macrophages. It is also known to exhibit anti-

inflammatory and anticancer properties [24]. To date

though, there are no

in vivo

human studies on

possible antioxidant effects of

Spirulina

CONCLUSIONS

The positive effects of

Spirulina

in allergic

rhinitis are based on adequate evidence but larger

trials are required. It is believed that the anticancer

effects of

Spirulina

are perhaps derived from β-

carotene, a known antioxidant; however, the link

between β-carotene level and carcinogenesis cannot

be established as the etiology of carcinoma is

frequently multifactor [25, 26]. There are some

positive studies on the cholesterol-lowering effects of

Spirulina

but larger studies are required before any

definitive conclusions can be made. Finally, there are

no high-level evidence trials on the role played by

Spirulina

in chronic fatigue and in antiviral

applications. At the moment, what the literature

suggests is that

Spirulina

is a safe food supplement

without significant side-effects but its role as a drug

remains to be seen.

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With the aim to reach the maximum recovery of bulk and specialty bioproducts while minimizing waste generation, a multi-product biorefinery for ethanol and lactic acid production from the biomass of cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis was investigated. Therefore, the residual biomass resulting from different pretreatments consisting of supercritical fluid extraction (SF) and microwave assisted extraction with non-polar (MN) and polar solvents (MP), previously applied on A. platensis to extract bioactive metabolites, was further valorized. In particular, it was used as a substrate for fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae LPB-287 and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 to produce bioethanol (BE) and lactic acid (LA), respectively. The maximum concentrations achieved were 3.02 ± 0.07 g/L of BE by the MN process at 120 rpm 30 °C, and 9.67 ± 0.05 g/L of LA by the SF process at 120 rpm 37 °C. An economic analysis of BE and LA production was carried out to elucidate the impact of fermentation scale, fermenter costs, production titer, fermentation time and cyanobacterial biomass production cost. The results indicated that the critical variables are fermenter scale, equipment cost, and product titer; time process was analyzed but was not critical. As scale increased, costs tended to stabilize, but also more product was generated, which causes production costs per unit of product to sharply decrease. The median value of production cost was US$ 1.27 and US$ 0.39, for BE and LA, respectively, supporting the concept of cyanobacterium biomass being used for fermentation and subsequent extraction to obtain ethanol and lactic acid as end products from A. platensis.

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Chapter

Jun 2023

In the current century, people worldwide are facing hunger due to limitations in the food supply; to combat the scarcity of food, we are looking for an alternate source of food that contains all the necessary nutrients which are present in our normal diet which boost the immune system and provide energy to our body. Spirulina belonging to Cyanophyta has emerged as food for the future or super nutrition of the future as it contains all the necessary nutrients required in our diet. Spirulina is regarded as one of the most studied and commercialized alga having a higher concentration of proteins content. Furthermore, easily digestible nature and various health benefits, the leading world organization such as WHO and FAO consider spirulina as a superfood or future food. In the existing literature, we would focus on the biochemical composition of the alga, properties that make it future food, and prospective related to the algal food and market scenario of the present and future.Keywords Spirulina NutraceuticalsMarket trendToxicological aspectNutrition etc.

Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2022
MOLECULES

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic complication that affects people of all ages. The increased prevalence of diabetes worldwide has led to the development of several synthetic drugs to tackle this health problem. Such drugs, although effective as antihyperglycemic agents, are accompanied by various side effects, costly, and inaccessible to the majority of people living in underdeveloped countries. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally throughout the ages to treat various ailments due to their availability and safe nature. Medicinal plants are a rich source of phytochemicals that possess several health benefits. As diabetes continues to become prevalent, health care practitioners are considering plant-based medicines as a potential source of antidiabetic drugs due to their high potency and fewer side effects. To better understand the mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their active phytoconstituents are being isolated and investigated thoroughly. In this review article, we have focused on pharmacologically active phytomolecules isolated from medicinal plants presenting antidiabetic activity and the role they play in the treatment and management of diabetes. These natural compounds may represent as good candidates for a novel therapeutic approach and/or effective and alternative therapies for diabetes.

I Superfood: le microalghe e il ruolo della Spirulina platensis nella prevenzione dei disturbi cardiovascolari

Thesis

Full-text available

Feb 2021

Martina Cantamesse

Il bisogno primario per l’uomo è sempre stato mangiare, nutrirsi, sia per la sua sopravvivenza che per la sua evoluzione. Ma l’atto di mangiare è diventato, nel tempo, un vero e proprio piacere. Questo grazie alla varietà di alimenti, alle scoperte in campo alimentare e alla maggiore accessibilità. La vita dell’uomo si è allungata notevolmente, ma si è assistito contestualmente anche ad un aumento di varie patologie. Perciò, negli ultimi anni, l’interesse delle persone è incentrato sulla ricerca di alimenti con particolari qualità, che forniscono un beneficio per la salute in seguito alla loro assunzione e che quindi non abbiano semplicemente una funzione nutrizionale. Molti di questi non sono alimenti di uso quotidiano o facilmente reperibili, ne sono un esempio le microalghe. Il presente lavoro ha come oggetto lo studio di uno di questi alimenti considerati commercialmente come “Superfood”, in particolare la Spirulina platensis. In dettaglio, l’attenzione è posta sulle proprietà benefiche, preventive e curative di questa microalga rispetto ai disturbi cardiovascolari e le patologie ad essi associate. Finora non sono stati presentati resoconti dettagliati sull’argomento, inoltre la letteratura scientifica è ricca ma allo stesso tempo molto frammentata. L’elaborazione di questa tesi ha quindi l’obiettivo di raggruppare l’attuale stato dell’arte dei benefici derivanti dall’introduzione della Spirulina nell’alimentazione quotidiana, al fine di migliorare lo stato di salute e prevenire eventuali patologie o carenze nutrizionali. La prima parte del lavoro è introduttiva all’argomento, viene analizzata la legislazione e la letteratura in merito agli alimenti funzionali e quindi ai Superfood, nonché alla categoria delle microalghe. Vengono poi analizzate dettagliatamente le caratteristiche morfologiche, chimiche e fisiche della microalga in questione, la Spirulina platensis. Successivamente sono analizzati i numerosi benefici riscontrati in seguito all’assunzione di Spirulina. Lo studio della letteratura scientifica ha fatto emergere ampiamente non solo quanto questa microalga sia da ritenersi un alimento con un grande valore nutritivo, ma 5 anche quanto sia efficace nella prevenzione delle patologie o delle carenze nutrizionali in seguito ad una sua corretta assunzione con la dieta. Le conclusioni a riguardo sono esplicate nel capitolo conclusivo della tesi. I risultati analizzati sono stati elaborati da documenti accuratamente selezionati da fonti recenti, ed estrapolati, attraverso la combinazione di parole chiave, da banche dati e motori di ricerca scientifici quali Pubmed, Science Direct, Scholar, Scopus, EBSCO

Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with Spirulina fusiformis

Article

Full-text available

Jan 1995

The blue-green microalgae Spirulina, used in daily diets of natives in Africa and America, have been found to be a rich natural source of proteins, carotenoids, and other micronutrients. Experimental studies in animal models have demonstrated an inhibitory effect of Spirulina algae on oral carcinogenesis. Studies among preschool children in India have demonstrated Spirulina fusiformis (SF) to be an effective source of dietary vitamin A. We evaluated the chemopreventive activity of SF (1 g/day for 12 mos) in reversing oral leukoplakia in pan tobacco chewers in Kerala, India. Complete regression of lesions was observed in 20 of 44 (45%) evaluable subjects supplemented with SF, as opposed to 3 of 43 (7%) in the placebo arm (p < 0.0001). When stratified by type of leukoplakia, the response was more pronounced in homogeneous lesions: complete regression was seen in 16 of 28 (57%) subjects with homogeneous leukoplakia, 2 of 8 with erythroplakia, 2 of 4 with verrucous leukoplakia, and 0 of 4 with ulcerated and nodular lesions. Within one year of discontinuing supplements, 9 of 20 (45%) complete responders with SF developed recurrent lesions. Supplementation with SF did not result in increased serum concentration of retinol or beta-carotene, nor was it associated with toxicity. This is the first human study evaluating the chemopreventive potential of SF. More studies in different settings and different populations are needed for further evaluation.

Regression of experimental oral cancer by beta carotene and algae extract

Article

Jul 1987
J ORAL MAXIL SURG

The effect of algae extract on tumor regression was studied. Phycotene (extract of Spirulina and Dunaliella algae) 250 micrograms in 0.1 ml MEM (minimum essential medium) was injected locally into DMBA (7, 12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene)-induced squamous cell carcinomas of hamster buccal pouch in 20 animals. DMBA-induced carcinomas in 20 hamsters were injected locally with beta carotene 250 micrograms in 0.1 ml MEM; DMBA-induced carcinomas in 20 animals were injected locally with canthaxanthin, 250 micrograms in 0.1 ml MEM, and DMBA-induced carcinomas in 20 animals were injected locally with 13-cis-retinoic acid, 250 micrograms in 0.1 ml MEM. Twenty animals with DMBA-induced carcinomas were sham-injected controls using 0.1 ml MEM. The various agents were injected into the tumor bearing right buccal pouches twice-weekly for four weeks. Total tumor regression was found in 30% of phycotene animals, 20% of beta carotene animals and 15% of canthaxanthin animals after four weeks. Partial tumor regression was found in the remaining 70% of phycotene animals, 80% of beta carotene animals and 85% of canthaxanthin animals. None of the 13-cis-retinoic acid animals had total tumor regression, but 70% showed partial regression. No tumor regression was found in the DMBA control group and the sham-injected group.

Prevention of experimental oral cancer by extracts of Spirulina-Dunaliella algae

Article

Feb 1988

An extract of Spirulina-Dunaliella algae was shown to prevent tumor development in hamster buccal pouch when a 0.1% solution of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in mineral oil was applied topically three times weekly for 28 weeks. The algae extract was delivered by mouth in continued dosages of 140 micrograms in 0.4 ml mineral oil three times per week. After 28 weeks, the animals given vehicle and untreated controls all presented gross tumors of the right buccal pouch. Animals fed canthaxanthin presented a notably and statistically significant reduction in tumor number and size compared with controls. Animals fed beta-carotene demonstrated a smaller but statistically significant reduction in tumor number and size. The algae animals presented a complete absence of gross tumors. However, microscopic sections of the buccal pouch in the algae group showed localized areas of dysplasia and early carcinoma-in-situ undergoing destruction.

Tumor necrosis factor in experimental cancer regression with alphatocopherol, beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and algae extract

Article

Jun 1988
Eur J Canc Clin Oncol

Regression of established hamster buccal pouch carcinoma has recently been demonstrated in association with an induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha in macrophages. Regression of hamster buccal pouch tumors has also been demonstrated following the local injection of alphatocopherol, canthaxanthin and an extract of Spirulina-Dunaliella algae. The current study demonstrates that cancer regression is also accompanied by a significant induction of tumor necrosis factor in macrophages in the tumor area, suggesting a possible mechanism of tumor destruction. One hundred and forty young, male adult hamsters were divided into seven equal groups of 20 animals. Epidermoid carcinomas were induced in right buccal pouches by 14 weeks of painting, three times per week, of a 0.5% solution of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. Groups 1 and 2 were untreated and sham injected controls. Groups 3-7 had injected twice weekly into the right buccal pouches 0.1 ml (1.9 mg/ml of 13-cis-retinoic acid, canthaxanthin, algae extract, beta-carotene and alphatocopherol. After 4 weeks the tumors in groups 3-7 demonstrated varying degrees of regression and the animals were sacrificed and the right buccal pouches excised. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) was demonstrated by immunohistochemical techniques. A very significant increase in TNF-alpha positive macrophages was found in the tumor-bearing pouches of animals in groups 5-7. Smaller numbers of TNF-alpha-positive macrophages were found in group 4 pouches and a very slight increase in group 3 pouches.

Calcium Spirulan, an Inhibitor of Enveloped Virus Replication, from a Blue-Green Alga Spirulina platensis

Article

Feb 1996

Bioactivity-directed fractionation of a hot H2O extract from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis led to the isolation of a novel sulfated polysaccharide named calcium spirulan (Ca-SP) as an antiviral principle. This polysaccharide was composed of rhamnose, ribose, mannose, fructose, galactose, xylose, glucose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, sulfate, and calcium. Ca-SP was found to inhibit the replication of several enveloped viruses, including Herpes simplex virus type 1, human cytomegalovirus, measles virus, mumps virus, influenza A virus, and HIV-1. It was revealed that Ca-SP selectively inhibited the penetration of virus into host cells. Retention of molecular conformation by chelation of calcium ion with sulfate groups was suggested to be indispensable to its antiviral effect.

Spirulina platensis inhibits anaphylactic reaction

Article

Feb 1997
LIFE SCI

We investigated the effects of the powders of Spirulina platensis (SPP) on anaphylactic reactions. SPP inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock 100% with doses of 0.5, and 1.0 mg/g body weight (BW). SPP significantly inhibited serum histamine levels induced by compound 48/80 in rats. SPP (0.5 mg/g BW) inhibited to 68.7% passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. SPP dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80. Moreover, SPP had a significant effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced histamine release or tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from RPMC. These results suggest that SPP may contain compounds with actions that inhibit mast cell degranulation in the rat.

Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication by an Aqueous Extract of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis)

Article

Jun 1998
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol

An aqueous extract of the blue-green filamentous algae Arthrospira platensis (previously called Spirulina platensis) inhibited HIV-1 replication in human T-cell lines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and Langerhans cells (LC). Extract concentrations ranging between 0.3 and 1.2 microg/ml reduced viral production by approximately 50% (50% effective concentration [EC50]) in PBMCs. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of extract for PBMC growth ranged between 0.8 and 3.1 mg/ml. Depending on the cell type used, therapeutic indices ranged between 200 and 6000. The extract inactivated HIV-1 infectivity directly when preincubated with virus before addition to human T-cell lines. Fractionation of the extract revealed antiviral activity in the polysaccharide fraction and also in a fraction depleted of polysaccharides and tannins. We conclude that aqueous A platensis extracts contain antiretroviral activity that may be of potential clinical interest.

Inhibitory Effect of Mast Cell-Mediated Immediate-Type Allergic Reactions in Rats by Spirulina

Article

May 1998
BIOCHEM PHARMACOL

We investigated the effect of spirulina on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions. Spirulina dose-dependently inhibited the systemic allergic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in rats. Spirulina inhibited compound 48/80-induced allergic reaction 100% with doses of 100-1000 microg/g body weight, i.p. Spirulina (10-1000 microg/g body weight, i.p.) also significantly inhibited local allergic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When rats were pretreated with spirulina at a concentration ranging from 0.01 to 1000 microg/g body weight, i.p., the serum histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Spirulina (0.001 to 10 microg/mL) dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level of cyclic AMP in RPMC, when spirulina (10 microg/mL) was added, transiently and significantly increased about 70-fold at 10 sec compared with that of control cells. Moreover, spirulina (10 microg/mL) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. These results indicate that spirulina inhibits mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro.

Long-term supplementation with α-tocopherol and β-carotene and prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in smokers

Article

Jul 1998

To assess the effect of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene supplementation on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in smokers. An end-point examination of a random sample of participants in a controlled trial for 5-7 years (Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study) in Helsinki, Finland. A total of 409 white male cigarette smokers, aged 55-74 years who received either alpha-tocopherol (50 mg per day) or beta-carotene (20 mg per day) supplementation, both of these or placebo capsules. Clinical examination of oral mucosae, histological examination of lesions showing leukoplakia and cytological examination of buccal epithelium. Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test. No statistically significant differences were found between the study groups either in the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions or in the cells of unkeratinized epithelium. Leukoplakia was present in 24 (5.9%) of the subjects. Seven lesions showed dysplasia. The present study on oral health does not support the hypothesis that alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene supplementation plays an essential role in preventing oral mucosal changes in smokers.

Activation of the human innate immune system by Spirulina: Augmentation of interferon production and NK cytotoxicity by oral administration of hot water extract of Spirulina platensis

Article

Mar 2002
INT IMMUNOPHARMACOL

Spirulina platensis is a cyanobacterial species that is surmised to potentiate the immune system leading to suppression of cancer development and viral infection. Here, we identified the molecular mechanism of the human immune potentiating capacity of Spirulina by analyzing blood cells of volunteers with pre and post oral administration of hot water extract of Spirulina. NK functions represented by IFN gamma production and cytolysis were enhanced after administration of Spirulina in >50% subjects. IFN gamma was produced in an IL-12/IL-18-dependent fashion. In vitro stimulation of blood cells with BCG cell wall skeleton (CWS) allowed more potent IL-12 p40 production in cells from volunteers given Spirulina than in cells without pre-exposure to Spirulina. As BCG-CWS serves as a ligand for Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 to raise the maturation stage of monocytes/macrophages, Spirulina may be involved in the signaling responses through Toll in blood cells even when orally administered. These observations indicated that in humans Spirulina acts directly on myeloid lineages and either directly or indirectly on NK cells. The presence of co-operative IL-12 and IL-18 is critically important for NK-mediated IFN gamma production.