Therapeutic Uses of Spirulina : A Review (original) (raw)
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Nutritional and Therapeutic Potential of Spirulina
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2005
Spirulina, a filamentous cyanobacterium, possesses diverse biological activities and nutritional significance due to high concentration of natural nutrients, having bio-modulatory and immuno-modulatory functions. Different Spirulina preparations influence immune system viz. increase phagocytic activity of macrophages, stimulating the production of antibodies and cytokines, increase accumulation of NK cells into tissue and activation and mobilization of T and B cells. Spirulina have also shown to perform regulatory role on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism by exhibiting glucose and lipid profile correcting activity in experimental animals and in diabetic patients. Preparations have been found to be active against several enveloped viruses including herpes virus, cytomegalovirus, influenza virus and HIV. They are capable to inhibit carcinogenesis due to anti-oxidant properties that protect tissues and also reduce toxicity of liver, kidney and testes.
Spirulina, linking bacteria and plants is primitive, has a simple structure but a complex composition. It has been a common dietary substance around the world from ancient times. Although dietary usage and supplementation continues to be popular, there was for a long time no strong scientific evidence of spirulina's nutritive and health benefits. In recent years, spirulina has attracted scientific attention, not only for its various health benefits, but also at a micro level of understanding the mechanisms of action of its various components. From being a 'complete' protein source, spirulina and its components have been shown to have positive benefit across a range of human health indications from malnutrition to antioxidant properties. These reports come from in vitro, animal and human studies. Although, few adverse effects of spirulina supplementation have been reported, most of these can be addressed by 'organic' production, good culture, harvest and processing practices along with its careful usage in specific conditions such as metabolic disorders. Case reports on effects of spirulina supplementations are many and with a larger evidence base of scientific validation studies, spirulina has the potential to be accepted by global accreditation/certification/approval authorities as a safe nutritional and dietary supplement.
The beneficial effects of spirulina focusing on its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties
Nutrition and Dietary Supplements, 2010
Spirulina, linking bacteria and plants is primitive, has a simple structure but a complex composition. It has been a common dietary substance around the world from ancient times. Although dietary usage and supplementation continues to be popular, there was for a long time no strong scientific evidence of spirulina's nutritive and health benefits. In recent years, spirulina has attracted scientific attention, not only for its various health benefits, but also at a micro level of understanding the mechanisms of action of its various components. From being a 'complete' protein source, spirulina and its components have been shown to have positive benefit across a range of human health indications from malnutrition to antioxidant properties. These reports come from in vitro, animal and human studies. Although, few adverse effects of spirulina supplementation have been reported, most of these can be addressed by 'organic' production, good culture, harvest and processing practices along with its careful usage in specific conditions such as metabolic disorders. Case reports on effects of spirulina supplementations are many and with a larger evidence base of scientific validation studies, spirulina has the potential to be accepted by global accreditation/certification/approval authorities as a safe nutritional and dietary supplement.
Therapeutics role of spirulina platensis in disease prevention and treatment
IP International Journal of Comprehensive and Advanced Pharmacology, 2022
Spirulina are multicellular and filamentous blue-green microalgae belonging to two separate genera Spirulina and Arthrospiraand consists of about 15 species. Of these, Arthrospira platensis is the most common and widely available spirulina and most of the published research and public health decision refers to this specific species. It grows in water, can be harvested and processed easily and has significantly high macro- and micronutrient contents. In many countries of Africa, it is used as human food as an important source of protein and is collected from natural water, dried and eaten. It has gained popularity in the human health food industry and in many countries of Asia it is used as protein supplement and as human health food. Spirulina has been used as a complementary dietary ingredient of feed for poultry and increasingly as a protein and vitamin supplement to aqua feeds. Spirulina can play an important role in human and animal nutrition, environmental protection through wa...
Spirulina in Health Care Management
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2008
Spirulina is a photosynthetic, filamentous, spiral-shaped and multicellular edible microbe. It is the nature's richest and most complete source of nutrition. Spirulina has a unique blend of nutrients that no single source can offer. The alga contains a wide spectrum of prophylactic and therapeutic nutrients that include B-complex vitamins, minerals, proteins,-linolenic acid and the super anti-oxidants such as-carotene, vitamin E, trace elements and a number of unexplored bioactive compounds. Because of its apparent ability to stimulate whole human physiology, Spirulina exhibits therapeutic functions such as antioxidant, anti-bacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antidiabetic and plethora of beneficial functions. Spirulina consumption appears to promote the growth of intestinal micro flora as well. The review discusses the potential of Spirulina in health care management.
Review for uses and therapeutic effects of spirulina, Spirulina platensis microalgae
Spirulina is a filamentous cyanobacteria with many applications in food and drug industries, as a food in human, aquaculture, vet and poultry industries. Semi and mass culture of Spirulina carries out in different countries. it contains large amounts of protein (70% dry weight), carotenoid (4000 mg/kg), (omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ,gamma linolenic acid (GLA), sulfolipids, glycolipids, polysaccharides, provitamins; vitamin A vitamin E, various B vitamins; and minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc and selenium. Pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that Spirulina has certain therapeutic effects such as reduction in blood cholesterol, protection against some cancers, enhancement of the immune system, increase of intestinal lactobacilli, reduction of nephrotoxicity by heavy metals and drugs, radiation protection, reduction of hyperlipidemia and obesity. In this paper, uses and therapeutic effect of spirulina have been reviewed according to new researches.
NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 2020
Objective: The present investigation was to isolate and produce Spirulina platensis on high scale for food pharmaceutical and aquaculture due to the presence of high protein content. Methods: Cultivation of Spirulina preparation of culture medium, inoculums build up, growth monitoring, harvesting, drying, procedure for protein estimation, sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and DNA isolation of Spirulina platensis. Results: The study shows that protein content of S. platensis was found to be 62% protein profile was studied through SDS-PAGE, the bands were in the range of 35 kDa-44 kDa. S. platensis contain high molecular weight DNA. The bands was seen and visualize under the transilluminator it reveals that the alga S. platensis contain high molecular weight DNA. Conclusion: The production of Spirulina by simple pH determination method suggests economic production of alga by a simple process. The DNA isolation showing that these algae contain high molecular weight DNA. However, utilization of this biomass for varied end uses, such as food, feed, aquaculture, and pharmaceuticals.