OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Spirulina among patients with community acquired Pneumonia-C (PCAP-C) based on the resolution of the following symptoms; fever, respiratory rate, chest indrawings, rales, oxygen saturation and compare their length of hospital stay. DESIGN: A randomized-double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. SETTING: The study was done at a tertiary government hospital PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Children 6 months to 5 years old with PCAP-C were randomized to either treatment group A or B. The two groups received the standard treatment for pneumonia and adjunct treatment of Spirulina for group A and placebo for group B. RESULTS: A total of 14 7 patients participated in the study. Seventy four patients were randomized to group A and 73 patients to group B. Respiratory rate showed greater improvement with Spirulina supplementation starting day 3, 4 and 5. Resolution of chest in-drawing was significant in Spirulina group on day 2 (p- value < 0.05), day 3 (p - value < 0.05) and day 4 (p - value <0.05). There were more patients in Spirulina group with decreased to absent rales on day 2 (p-value 0.02), day 3 (p-value 0.039), day 4 (p-value 0.01) and day 5 (p-value 0.01). Temperature and oxygen saturation on both groups had almost similar trends. The mean hospital stay in Spirulina group (3.09 days) is shorter as compared to the placebo group (p-value 0.02). CONCLUSION Spirulina supplementation showed positive effects in PCAP-C. Its immunemodulating effect played a positive role in the treatment outcome of pneumonia.
pneumonia ; Spirulina

Some herbs as Adenosma caeruleum (I) and Spirulina (II) are used for treatment of hepatic diseases in Vietnam. The substances collected from aqueous extracts of these herbs were used in our experiments. Their hepato-protective effects were estimated by criteria such as: Their antioxidative activity in vitro, The content of malonyl dialdehyd (MDA) glutathion (GSH) in livers and activities of enzymes SGOT, SGPT in serum of mice administered substances of (I) or (II) or mixture of (I) and (II), comparison with controls. Results show that extracted substances of these herbs possesses strong hepato-protective effects. It is necessary to elucidate further their hepato-protective effect
Plants, Medicinal ; spirulina ; Medicine, Traditional

The knowledge of oxygen evolution characteristics, which is a symbol of photosynthetic activity, under various light conditions is important for photobioreactor design and operation. In this study, we constructed a device to investigate oxygen evolution characteristics of Spirulina platensis under two different light regimes: 1) continuous illumination of various light intensities (14-6 500 micromol/(m2 x s)); 2) medium frequency L/D cycles of four different light intensities (69, 505, 1 330, 4 265 micromol/(m2s)). Light limited region, intermediate region, light saturated region and light inhibited region of light intensity were recognized according to their relationship with oxygen evolution rate (OER) under continuous illumination. Investigation of S. platensis under L/D cycles showed whether photosynthetic efficiency could be increased with increasing L/D frequency largely depended on the light intensity applied. The higher the light intensity, the larger the photosynthetic enhancement could be expected with the increase of L/D frequency. The largest light integration effect was found under L/D cycles of high light intensity (4 265 micromol/(m2 x s)) and medium light fraction (k = 0.6), while light integration effect was totally absent under low light fractions (k < 0.2). We also discussed their implications to the practical aspects of microalgae cultivation.
Light ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Photobioreactors ; Photosynthesis ; physiology ; Spirulina ; metabolism

Humans ; gamma-Linolenic Acid/pharmacology* ; A549 Cells ; Spirulina ; Particulate Matter

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic signaling in hippocampal injury for fatigue rats induced by incremental load exercise and the protective effects and mechanism of spirulina supplement. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC), normal plus spirulina group(NS), exercise model group (EM), exercise plus spirulina group (ES), and positive control group (PC), 12 rats in each group.Group EM, Group ES and Group PC were applied by treadmill running with high-intensity increasing for three weeks, and Group NC had not any intervention measures.Group ES and Group NS were treated with spirulina at a dose of 300 mg/kg.bw.by intragastric administration.Group PC was gavaged at the same volume of ginseng extract of 1.92 g/kg for three weeks.The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase recptor (TrkB), phospho-tyrosine kinase recptor (p-TrkB) were tested by Western blot and immunohistochemical method, and micromorphology changes of hippocampal CA1 were observed by light microscope at the end of the experiment.The general situations of rats such as body weights were recorded during the experiment. RESULTS: Compared with Group NC, Group EM showed significantly decrease in body weight and hippocampal CA1 neurons of the group loosely arrayed and disarrayed and some neurons were shrinked, and even some neurons disappeared.The expressions of BDNF, TrkB and p-TrkB in group EM were increased significantly(<0.01).Compared with Group EM, body weight of Group ES was increased significantly, and the above mentioned injuries of neurons were improved significantly:the number of neurons and nissl bodies were significantly increased and the neurons arrayed regularly and its morphology was more complete.The expressions of BDNF, TrkB and p-TrkB in the group were increased significantly(<0.05 or <0.01).And there was no difference between Group ES and Group PC. CONCLUSIONS BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic signal pathway could be involved in the repair process of hippocampal nervous damage caused by incremental load exercise for fatigue rats.Spirulina supplement had a protective effect on the damaged nervous through increasing the expressions of BDNF, TrkB and p-TrkB.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Hippocampus ; Mice ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkB ; Spirulina

The biofilms formed by pathogenic microorganisms seriously threaten human health and significantly enhance drug resistance, which urgently call for developing drugs specifically targeting on biofilms. Chitooligosaccharides extracted from shrimp and crab shells are natural alkaline oligosaccharides with excellent antibacterial effects. Nevertheless, their inhibition efficacy on biofilms still needs to be improved. Spirulina (SP) is a microalga with negatively charged surface, and its spiral structure facilitates colonization in the depth of the biofilm. Therefore, the complex of Spirulina and chitooligosaccharides may play a synergistic role in killing pathogens in the depth of biofilm. This research first screened chitooligosaccharides with significant bactericidal effects. Subsequently, Spirulina@Chitooligosaccharides (SP@COS complex was prepared by combining chitooligosaccharides with Spirulina through electrostatic adsorption. The binding of the complex was characterized by zeta potential, z-average size, and fluorescence labeling. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) showed the encapsulation efficiency and the drug loading efficiency reached up to 90% and 16%, respectively. The prepared SP@COS2 exhibited a profound synergistic inhibition effect on bacterial and fungal biofilms, which was mainly achieved by destroying the cell structure of the biofilm. These results demonstrate the potential of Spirulina-chitooligosaccharides complex as a biofilm inhibitor and provide a new idea for addressing the harm of pathogenic microorganisms.
Humans ; Spirulina ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Chitosan/pharmacology* ; Biofilms ; Chitin/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: During the last several years, such as Photofrin(R), Photogem(R), HpD, and 5-aminolevulenic acid (ALA) has been used as photosensitizers for a wide range of malignant tumors as well as non-malignant disease. A new photosensitizer, 9-Hydroxypheophorbide-a (9-HpbD-a) was derived from Spirulina platensis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effect and mechanism of photodynamic therapy in vitro using 9-HpbD-a and 670 nm diode laser on a HT-3 cervical cancer cell line. METHODS: We studied the cytotoxic effect of 9-HpbD-a and 670 nm diode laser in HT-3 cervical cancer cell line. The cultured HT-3 cells were treated with serial concentrations of 9-HpbD-a followed by various irradiation time (0, 5, 15, 30 min) and by various interval times (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 24 hours) until laser irradiation, then 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was applied to measure the relative inhibitory effect of PDT. RESULTS: Optimal condition for laser irradiation time was 15 minutes and the cytotoxic effect according to the incubation time after 9-HpbD-a treatment was increased until 6 hours. Under confocal microscopy, to observe intracellular localization of 9-HpbD-a, cells dual-stained with 9-HpbD-a and panel of organelle-specific fluorescence probes (MitoTracker, LysoTracker, ER-Tracker), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a major accumulation organelle site in HT-3 cervical cell line for this new photosensitizer. CONCLUSION: The anticancer effect of PDT using 9-HpbD-a is effective in HT-3 cervical cancer cell line. This agent therefore represents a promising photosensitizing prodrug for the treatment of cervical cancer with PDT in clinical setting for the future.
Amines ; Cell Line ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Fluorescence ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Organelles ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents ; Spirulina ; Triazenes ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

This study was performed to examine the change of lipid metabolism and immune function caused by antioxidant material in hypercholesterolemic elderly women (serum total cholesterol > or = 200 mg/dl). The subjects were 51 elderly women aged over 60 yrs. They were divided into antioxidant nutrients complex group (n = 25) and spirulina group (n = 26). Antioxidant nutrients complex (1 capsule/day) and spirulina (7.5 mg/day) were used for intervention for 8 weeks. All the subjects were fully informed the purpose of study and gave written consents to participate in this study. Dietary intakes, anthropometric indices and blood assessment for lipid, immune function and antioxidant status were measured before and after supplementation. Either antioxidant nutrients complex or spirulina supplementation for 8 weeks resulted in improved antioxidant status evidence by increased TAS (total antioxidant status) and decreased TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance). This intervention led to decreased serum levels of total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, oxLDL, apolipoprotein B, IL-6 and IL-6 production by peripheral blood lymphocyte. In conclusion, the lipid profiles, immune function and antioxidant capacity were improved after either antioxidant nutrient complex or spirulina supplementation for hypercholesterolemic women. Therefore, improving antioxidant status using supplementation could provide means of controlling cardiovascular disease in Korean elderly people.
Aged* ; Apolipoproteins ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Clinical Trial ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Korea* ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Lymphocytes ; Spirulina ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

OBJECTIVE: During the last several years, such as Photofrin(R), Photogem(R), HpD, and 5-aminolevulenic acid (ALA) has been used as photosensitizers for a wide range of malignant tumors as well as non-malignant disease. A new photosensitizer, 9-Hydroxypheophorbide-a (9-HpbD-a) was derived from Spirulina platensis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effect and mechanism of photodynamic therapy in vivo using 9-HpbD-a and 670 nm diode laser on a HT-3 cervical cancer cell line. METHODS: PDT effects were observed in xenograft nude mouse model. HT-3 cell line was xenografted into the subcutaneous space of the mouse back. When the tumors grew up to 400~500 mm3, the animals were randomly separated into 4 groups: Group I (n=5), control group; group II (n=10), 9-HpbD-a alone; group III (n=10), laser irradiation alone; and group IV (n=20), PDT in nude mouse group. RESULTS: PDT treated group (9-HpbD-a+laser irradiation) showed complete response (15/20, 75%), recurrence (3/20, 15%) or no response (2/20, 10%). PDT group showed significant remission rate, comparing to laser irradiation alone group, 9-HpbD-a alone group and untreated control group (P<0.05). When PDT using 9-HpbD-a, tumor size was decrease and microscopically finding, antitumor effect was showed inflammation and necrosis of tumor cell. Overexpression of p53 and Ki-67 gene had been detected at the HT-3 cervical cancer cell and 10 days after PDT. And no experssion in normal tissue and tumor after PDT. So, immunohistochemical study of p53 and Ki-67 gene correlated with PDT for anticancer effect. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that 9-HpbD-a is one of the promising photosensitizers for the future and would be needed to use 9-HpbD-a as a photosensitizer in clinical setting. We would further suggest that photodynamic therapy is a more effective method than the conventional treatment for women who want to maintain their anatomical and functional uterine cervix.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Necrosis ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents ; Recurrence ; Spirulina ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Triazenes ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Spirulina, a blue-green alga, is widely produced and commercialized as a dietary supplement with bio- and immune-modulatory functions. We have previously shown that spirulina had favorable effects on lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity in healthy Korean elderly. Despite favorable effect of spirulina supplementation, some sub-populations have shown a poor response to supplementation. Obesity is a factor related to poor-response. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the immuno-modulation, antioxidant capacity, and lipid-lowering effect of spirulina in obese and non-obese Korean elderly. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 78 elderly aged 60-87 years. In a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects were fed either placebo or spirulina daily, at 8 g for 12 weeks. Subjects were divided into the non-obese group and the obese group based on body mass index (BMI) criteria for Asians suggested by the International Obesity Task Force: BMI < 25 kg/m² (non-obese) and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (obese). RESULTS: In the non-obese group, spirulina supplementation showed a significant lowering effect on plasma concentration of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, a significant increase in interleukin (IL)-2 concentration (P < 0.01) and a significant increment (P < 0.05) in IL-2/IL-6 ratio, and a significant increase in total antioxidant status level and a significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level. However, these effects were not observed in the obese group. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that blood lipid lowering and immune and antioxidant improving response for spirulina supplement was affected by obesity in Korean elderly.
Advisory Committees ; Aged* ; Antioxidants ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Dietary Supplements ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans* ; Interleukins ; Obesity* ; Plasma ; Spirulina* ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances