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04.10.10
Nureicell proudly presents "Totally Fit Radio" on AM560 on Saturday mornings at 5AM. We strongly feel that this radio program and the Tony & Michelle all represent our core values of health, wellness, and fitness, and also helping people achieve this through natural ways. www.totallyfitradio.com
02.22.10
The Nureicell Team will be participating at the Ridgedales Shopping Center in Minnetonka, Minnesota with The Lazarus Project on 3/1/10. Click here to view the Lazarus Project.
02.20.10
The Nureicell Team is proud to be the new Title Sponsor for 560AM Totally Fit Radio www.totallyfitradio.com starting 3/29/10.
02.02.10
Nureicell is featured in the February 2010 issue of Pinoy Newsmagazine Click here to view.
01.27.10
The Nureicell Team will be at the Lazarus Project on February 28th. For more information about the Lazarus Project, please visit www.ausm.org.
01.08.10
New Customers added: Quality Meat Mart, Kapitbahany Oriental Store, Mane Exchange, Lisle Lanes Bowling, New Life Health Foods, RC Philippine Trading Corporation, and Uni-mart
12.27.09
Nureicell is featured in the December 2010 Holiday issue of OnePhilippines News Magazine. Click here to view.
12.24.09
New stores added: Las Gaviotas Carwash, El Messon, Las Gaviotas Sea Food, Ballin Pharmacy and Stone Medical Pharmacy.
11.22.09
We will be at Manila Fiesta handing out free samples. Manila Fiesta is located at: 1310 Lake Street, Roselle, IL. 60172
11.13.09
Our valued partner Oscar Foods is proud to present a Holiday gift offer. Click here to view.
10.11.09
2009 Thai American Association Health Fair.
10.3.09
Grand Opening of Split Second Speed.
9.27.09
2009 Filipino American Annual Health Fair.
9.19.09
Jesse White's Annual 2009 Asian American Senior Health Fair.
9.12.09
2009 Walter Payton Cancer Fund: 16726 Yard Run volunteer.
9.13.08
Nureicell participated in the Walter Payton Cancer
Fund 16,726 yard run.
New Products Press Release
Nureicell Power Up Super
Kid Supplement
Nureicell Vantage
9.26.08
Nureicell will be presenting our Business Plan on
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Websites that discuss Arthrospira platensis(Spirulina):
http://www.javeriana.edu.co/universitas_scientiarum/vol8n1/J_bernal.htm
http://www.hivresources.com/Newsletter/Issue51/Iss51p5.html
http://www.ana-jana.org/reprints/spirulinareprint.pdf
http://www.lightparty.com/Health/Spirulina.html
http://www.naturatherapeutics.com/images/Scientific_Article_1.pdf
http://www.worldhealth.net/p/282,6836.html
http://clem.mscd.edu/~boettner/CancerTutor/Other/ShrinkTumors.html
http://www.supplementreference.com/blue-green_algae.html
References:
Egorova EA, Gmoshinskii IV, Zorin SN, Mazo VK. Studies
of immunomodulation caused by selenium-enriched phycocyanin.
[Article in Russian] Vopr Pitan. 2006;75(2):19-21.
Farooq SM, Ebrahim AS, Subramhanya KH, Sakthivel
R, Rajesh NG, Varalakshmi P. Oxalate mediated nephronal
[sic] impairment and its inhibition by c-phycocyanin:
a study on urolithic rats. Molecular and Cellular
Biochemistry. 2006;284(1-2):95-101.
Grzanna R, Polotsky A, Phan PV, Pugh N, Pasco D,
Frondoza CG. Immolina, a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide
fraction of spirulina, enhances chemokine expression
in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Journal of Alternative
and Complementary Medicine. 2006;12(5):429-435.
Han LK, Li DX, Xiang L, et al. Isolation of pancreatic
lipase activity-inhibitory component of spirulina
platensis and it reduce postprandial triacylglycerolemia.
[Article in Japanese] Yakugaku Zasshi. 2006;126(1):43-49.
Hsiao G, Chou PH, Shen MY, Chou DS, Lin CH, Sheu
JR. C-phycocyanin, a very potent and novel platelet
aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis. Journal
of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005;53(20):7734-7740.
Baicus C, Baicus A. Spirulina did not ameliorate
idiopathic chronic fatigue in four N-of-1 randomized
controlled trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2007;21(6):570-573.
Chamorro-Cevallos G, Garduno-Siciliano L, Barron
BL, Madrigal-Bujaidar E, Cruz-Vega DE, Pages N. Chemoprotective
effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira) against cyclophosphamide-induced
mutagenicity in mice. Food Chemistry and Toxicology.
Epublished ahead of print. September 5, 2007.
Huang Z, Zheng W. Antagonistic effects of Se-rich
Spirulina platensis on rat liver fibrosis. [Article
in Chinese] Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2007;36(1):34-36.
Ishimi Y, Sugiyama F, Ezaki J, Fujioka M, Wu J. Effects
of spirulina, a blue-green alga, on bone metabolism
in ovariectomized rats and hindlimb-unloaded mice.
Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry. 2006;70(2):363-368.
Karkos PD, Leong SC, Arya AK, Papouliakos SM, Apostolidou
MT, Issing WJ. 'Complementary ENT': a systematic review
of commonly used supplements. Journal of Laryngology
and Otolaryngology. 2007;121(8):779-782.
Khan M, Shobha JC, Mohan IK, et al. Protective effect
of Spirulina against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Phytotherapy Research. 2005;19(12):1030-1037.
Khan M, Shobha JC, Mohan IK, et al. Spirulina attenuates
cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Journal
of Applied Toxicology. 2006;26(5):444-451.
Khan M, Varadharaj S, Ganesan LP, et al. C-phycocyanin
protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury of heart
through involvement of p38 MAPK and ERK signaling.
American Journal of Physiology and Heart Circulation
Physiology. 2006;290(5):H2136-H2145.
Khan M, Varadharaj S, Shobha JC, et al. C-phycocyanin
ameliorates doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress and
apoptosis in adult rat cardiomyocytes. Journal of
Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2006;47(1):9-20.
Khan Z, Bhadouria P, Bisen PS. Nutritional and therapeutic
potential of Spirulina. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.
2005;6(5):373-379.
Kuhad A, Tirkey N, Pilkhwal S, Chopra K. Effect of
Spirulina, a blue green algae, on gentamicin-induced
oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in rats. Fundamental
Clinical Pharmacology. 2006;20(2):121-128.
Kuhad A, Tirkey N, Pilkhwal S, Chopra K. Renoprotective
effect of Spirulina fusiformis on cisplatin-induced
oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in rats. Renal
Failure. 2006;28(3):247-254.
Li B, Gao MH, Zhang XC, Chu XM. Molecular immune
mechanism of C-phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis
induces apoptosis in HeLa cells in vitro. Biotechnology
and Applied Biochemistry. 2006;43(Pt 3):155-164.
Lu HK, Hsieh CC, Hsu JJ, Yang YK, Chou HN. Preventive
effects of Spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle
damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress. European
Journal of Applied Physiology. 2006;98(2):220-226.
Mao TK, Van de Water J, Gershwin ME. Effects of a
Spirulina-based dietary supplement on cytokine production
from allergic rhinitis patients. Journal of Medical
Food. 2005;8(1):27-30.
Misbahuddin M, Islam AZ, Khandker S, Ifthaker-Al-Mahmud,
Islam N, Anjumanara. Efficacy of spirulina extract
plus zinc in patients of chronic arsenic poisoning:
a randomized placebo-controlled study. Clinical Toxicology
(Philadelphia). 2006;44(2):135-141.
Mohan IK, Khan M, Shobha J, et al. Protection against
cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by Spirulina in rats.
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology. 2006;58(6):802-808.
Nagaoka S, Shimizu K, Kaneko H, et al. A novel protein
C-phycocyanin plays a crucial role in the hypocholesterolemic
action of Spirulina platensis concentrate in rats.
Journal of Nutrition. 2005;135(10):2425-2430.
Rasool M, Sabina EP, Lavanya B. Anti-inflammatory
effect of Spirulina fusiformis on adjuvant-induced
arthritis in mice. Biology and Pharmacy Bulletin.
2006;29(12):2483-2487
Rawn DF, Niedzwiadek B, Lau BP, Saker M. Anatoxin-a
and its metabolites in blue-green algae food supplements
from Canada and Portugal. Journal of Food Protection.
2007;70(3):776-779.
Riss J, Decorde K, Sutra T, et al. Phycobiliprotein
C-phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis is powerfully
responsible for reducing oxidative stress and NADPH
oxidase expression induced by an atherogenic diet
in hamsters. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
2007;55(19):7962-7967.
Sharma MK, Sharma A, Kumar A, Kumar M. Spirulina
fusiformis provides protection against mercuric chloride
induced oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice. Food
Chemistry and Toxicology. 2007;45(12):2412-2419.
Simpore J, Zongo F, Kabore F, et al. Nutrition rehabilitation
of HIV-infected and HIV-negative undernourished children
utilizing spirulina. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism.
2005;49(6):373-380.
Stromberg I, Gemma C, Vila J, Bickford PC. Blueberry-
and spirulina-enriched diets enhance striatal dopamine
recovery and induce a rapid, transient microglia activation
after injury of the rat nigrostriatal dopamine system.
Experimental Neurology. 2005;196(2):298-307.
Wang Y, Chang CF, Chou J, et al. Dietary supplementation
with blueberries, spinach, or spirulina reduces ischemic
brain damage. Experimental Neurology. 2005;193(1):75-84.
Wu LC, Ho JA, Shieh MC, Lu IW. Antioxidant and antiproliferative
activities of Spirulina and Chlorella water extracts.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005;53(10):4207-4212.
Effects
of structural modification of calcium spirulan, a
sulfated polysaccharide from Spirulina platensis,
on antiviral activity.
Lee
JB, Srisomporn P, Hayashi K, Tanaka T, Sankawa U,
Hayashi T Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama
Medical & Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Chem Pharm Bull
(Tokyo) 2001 Jan;49(1):108-10
Calcium
ion binding with the anionic part of a molecule was
replaced with various metal cations and their inhibitory
effects on the replication of herpes simplex virus
type 1 were evaluated. Replacement of calcium ion
with sodium and potassium ions maintained the antiviral
activity while divalent and trivalent metal cations
reduced the activity. Depolymerization of sodium spirulan
with hydrogen peroxide decreased in antiviral activity
as its molecular weight decreased.
Selective
inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by C-phycocyanin, a
biliprotein from Spirulina platensis.
Reddy
CM, Bhat VB, Kiranmai G, Reddy MN, Reddanna P, Madyastha
KM Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute
of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India.
Biochem Biophys
Res Commun 2000 Nov 2;277(3):599-603
We
report data from two related assay systems (isolated
enzyme assays and whole blood assays) that C-phycocyanin
a biliprotein from Spirulina platensis is a selective
inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with a very
low IC(50) COX-2/IC(50) COX-1 ratio (0.04). The extent
of inhibition depends on the period of preincubation
of phycocyanin with COX-2, but without any effect
on the period of preincubation with COX-1. The IC(50)
value obtained for the inhibition of COX-2 by phycocyanin
is much lower (180 nM) as compared to those of celecoxib
(255 nM) and rofecoxib (401 nM), the well-known selective
COX-2 inhibitors. In the human whole blood assay,
phycocyanin very efficiently inhibited COX-2 with
an IC(50) value of 80 nM. Reduced phycocyanin and
phycocyanobilin, the chromophore of phycocyanin are
poor inhibitors of COX-2 without COX-2 selectivity.
This suggests that apoprotein in phycocyanin plays
a key role in the selective inhibition of COX-2. The
present study points out that the hepatoprotective,
anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic properties of
phycocyanin reported in the literature may be due,
in part, to its selective COX-2 inhibitory property,
although its ability to efficiently scavenge free
radicals and effectively inhibit lipid peroxidation
may also be involved.
C-phycocyanin:
a potent peroxyl radical scavenger in vivo and in
vitro.
Bhat
VB, Madyastha KM Department of Organic Chemistry,
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India.
Biochem Biophys
Res Commun 2000 Aug 18;275(1):20-5
C-Phycocyanin
(from Spirulina platensis) effectively inhibited CCl(4)-induced
lipid peroxidation in rat liver in vivo. Both native
and reduced phycocyanin significantly inhibited peroxyl
radical-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes
and the inhibition was concentration dependent with
an IC(50) of 11.35 and 12.7 microM, respectively.
The radical scavenging property of phycocyanin was
established by studying its reactivity with peroxyl
and hydroxyl radicals and also by competition kinetics
of crocin bleaching. These studies have demonstrated
that phycocyanin is a potent peroxyl radical scavenger
with an IC(50) of 5.0 microM and the rate constant
ratios obtained for phycocyanin and uric acid (a known
peroxyl radical scavenger) were 1.54 and 3.5, respectively.
These studies clearly suggest that the covalently
linked chromophore, phycocyanobilin, is involved in
the antioxidant and radical scavenging activity of
phycocyanin.
[The
postradiation use of vitamin-containing complexes
and a phycocyanin extract in a radiation lesion in
rats].
[Article
in Russian] Karpov LM, Brown II, Poltavtseva NV, Ershova
ON, Karakis SG, Vasil'eva TV, Chaban IL Mechnikov
Odessa State University, Ukraina.
Radiats Biol Radioecol
2000 May-Jun;40(3):310-4
Wistar
rats have been exposed to X-rays with a dose of 5
Gy. Significant decrease in dehydrogenase activity,
energy-rich phosphate level and efficiency of antioxidant
defence and significant increase in pyruvate amount
were observed within 4 weeks. It was also found that
the feeding of exposed rats with phycocyanin extract
from blue-green algae Spirulina platensis lead to
correcting effect. The same result was observed after
injections of tocopherol or complex of six water-soluble
vitamins. The combination of above mentioned compounds
had more marked effect, especially at the presence
unitiole and Na2Se.
Pseudovitamin
B(12) is the predominant cobamide of an algal health
food, spirulina tablets.
Watanabe
F, Katsura H, Takenaka S, Fujita T, Abe K, Tamura
Y, Nakatsuka T, Nakano Y Department of Health Science,
Kochi Women's University, Kochi 780-8515, Japan. watanabe@cc.kochi-wu.ac.jp
J Agric Food Chem
1999 Nov;47(11):4736-41
The
vitamin B(12) concentration of an algal health food,
spirulina (Spirulina sp.) tablets, was determined
by both Lactobacillus leichmannii ATCC 7830 microbiological
and intrinsic factor chemiluminescence methods. The
values determined with the microbiological method
were approximately 6-9-fold greater in the spirulina
tablets than the values determined with the chemiluminescence
method. Although most of the vitamin B(12) determined
with the microbiological method was derived from various
vitamin B(12) substitutive compounds and/or inactive
vitamin B(12) analogues, the spirulina contained a
small amount of vitamin B(12) active in the binding
of the intrinsic factor. Two intrinsic factor active
vitamin B(12) analogues (major and minor) were purified
from the spirulina tablets and partially characterized.
The major (83%) and minor (17%) analogues were identified
as pseudovitamin B(12) and vitamin B(12), respectively,
as judged from data of TLC, reversed-phase HPLC, (1)H
NMR spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy,
and biological activity using L. leichmannii as a
test organism and the binding of vitamin B(12) to
the intrinsic factor.
Supplementary
effect of spirulina on hematological status of rats
during pregnancy and lactation.
Kapoor
R, Mehta U Department of Home Science, Sri Sathya
Sai Institute of Higher Learning Anantapur, Andhra
Pradesh, India.
Plant Foods Hum
Nutr 1998;52(4):315-24
The effect of Spirulina on iron status was assessed
based on hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum iron,
total iron binding capacity and ferritin levels of
rats during pregnancy and lactation. Rats were fed
5 different kinds of diets (casein, Spirulina, wheat
gluten, Spirulina + wheat gluten, Spirulina without
additional vitamins and minerals) each providing 22
percent protein. Diets containing Spirulina alone
or in combination with wheat gluten resulted in significantly
higher iron storage and hemoglobin contents than casein
and wheat gluten diets during the first half of pregnancy
and lactation. Wheat gluten diet result in the smallest
increase in hemoglobin levels and iron stores compared
to other diets. The values of serum iron and iron
binding capacity remained unchanged with different
diets. Spirulina appears to be effective in improving
the iron status of rats during pregnancy and lactation.
Modulation
of lead toxicity by Spirulina fusiformis.
Shastri
D, Kumar M, Kumar A Department of Zoology, University
of Rajasthan, India.
Phytother Res
1999 May;13(3):258-60
The
modulatory effects of lead toxicity by Spirulina fusiformis
(Oscillatoreaceae) were observed on the testes of
Swiss albino mice at a dose of 800 mg/kg body weight.
The Spirulina fusiformis was non-toxic at the dose
given. A significant enhancement in the survival time
was observed in the pre- and post-treated Spirulina
group compared with the control (lead treated) group.
Lead induced toxicity was also reduced in terms of
testes weight, animal weight, tubular diameter in
the pre Spirulina treated group. The modulatory effects
of Spirulina may be attributed to the presence of
the antioxidants, beta-carotene and SOD enzyme.
Studies
on the preventive effect of Spirulina maxima on fatty
liver development induced by carbon tetrachloride,
in the rat.
Torres-Duran
PV, Miranda-Zamora R, Paredes-Carbajal MC, Mascher
D, Ble-Castillo J, Diaz-Zagoya JC, Juarez-Oropeza
MA Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine,
UNAM, Mexico D.F., Mexico.
J Ethnopharmacol
1999 Feb;64(2):141-7
The
aim of the present work was to assess if the feeding
of either the oil extract of Spirulina maxima or of
its defatted fraction would prevent fatty liver development,
induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal dose of
carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Liver and serum lipids
were evaluated 4 days after treatment with this agent.
Concentration of liver lipids did not differ in rats
fed on a purified diet either without or with one
of the fractions of Spirulina, except for total cholesterol,
which showed a slight increase in the group receiving
the oil extract of Spirulina. However, after CCl4
treatment, liver total lipids and triacylglycerols
were significantly lower in rats fed on a diet containing
any fraction of Spirulina (defatted or the oil fraction)
than in rats without Spirulina in their diet. Furthermore,
the increased liver cholesterol values, induced by
CCl4 treatment, were not observed in rats receiving
Spirulina. In addition, rats receiving whole Spirulina
in their diet and treated only with the vehicle showed
an increase in the percentage of HDL values. The changes
in VLDL and LDL induced by CCl4 treatment were not
observed in the whole Spirulina group. Furthermore,
after CCl4 treatment the values of the liver microsomal
thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were lower
in the whole Spirulina group than in the control group.
These results support the potential hepatoprotective
role of Spirulina.
Class
specific influence of dietary Spirulina platensis
on antibody production in mice.
Hayashi
O, Hirahashi T, Katoh T, Miyajima H, Hirano T, Okuwaki
Y Department of Health and Nutrition, Kagawa Nutrition
University, Sakado, Japan.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol
(Tokyo) 1998 Dec;44(6):841-51
In
the present study, we investigated antibody productions
of IgA and other classes, such as IgE and IgG1, in
mice as possible evidence of the protective effects
of Spirulina toward food allergy and microbial infection.
An increase of IgE antibody level in the serum was
observed in the mice that were orally immunized with
crude shrimp extract as an antigen (Ag group). The
antibody level, however, was not further enhanced
by treatment with Spirulina extract (SpHW). IgG1 antibody,
on the other hand, which was increased by antigen
administration, was further enhanced by Spirulina
extract. It was noted that the IgA antibody level
in the intestinal contents was significantly enhanced
by treatment with Spirulina extract concurrently ingested
with shrimp antigen, in comparison with that of the
Ag group treated with shrimp antigen alone. An enhancement
of IgA antibody production by Spirulina extract was
also observed in culture supernatant of lymphoid cells,
especially in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node
from mice treated with Spirulina extract for 4 weeks
before antigen stimulation. These results suggest
that Spirulina may at least neither induce nor enhance
allergic reaction such as food allergy dependent on
an IgE antibody, and that when ingested both concurrently
with antigen and before antigen stimulation, it may
significantly enhance the IgA antibody level to protect
against allergic reaction.
Modulatory
potential of Spirulina fusiformis on carcinogen metabolizing
enzymes in Swiss albino mice.
Mittal
A, Kumar PV, Banerjee S, Rao AR, Kumar A Department
of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
Phytother Res
1999 Mar;13(2):111-4
The
modulatory potential of Spirulina fusiformis was observed
on the hepatic and extrahepatic carcinogen metabolizing
enzymes in Swiss albino mice at a dose of 800 mg/kg
b.w. given orally. A significant reduction in the
hepatic cytochrome P-450 content was observed in the
group treated with Spirulina in comparison with the
control group. The hepatic glutathione S-transferase
activity was induced significantly by Spirulina treatment.
There was no change in the extrahepatic glutathione
S-transferase activity after the animals were fed
with Spirulina.
Lactic
acid bacteria growth promoters from Spirulina platensis.
Parada
JL, Zulpa de Caire G, Zaccaro de Mule MC, Storni de
Cano MM Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales,
Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria,
Pab. II, Argentina.
Int J Food Microbiol
1998 Dec 22;45(3):225-8
Spirulina
has been used for many years as human food because
of its high protein content and nutritional value.
Some strains also produce bioactive substances that
may inhibit or promote microbial growth. Lactococcus
lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus
casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus
bulgaricus were grown in rich media, MRS and RM, as
well as in minimal saline medium with and without
addition of extracellular products obtained from a
late log phase culture of Spirulina platensis in Zarrouk
medium. In both MRS and RM media, the extracellular
products significantly promote the growth of the lactic
acid bacteria assayed. This stimulatory effect was
observed in media with pH adjusted to 5.3, 6.3 and
7.0. No effect was observed in minimal saline medium.
Inhibition
of tumor invasion and metastasis by calcium spirulan
(Ca-SP), a novel sulfated polysaccharide derived from
a blue-green alga, Spirulina platensis.
Mishima
T, Murata J, Toyoshima M, Fujii H, Nakajima M, Hayashi
T, Kato T, Saiki I Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku,
Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Clin Exp Metastasis
1998 Aug;16(6):541-50
We have investigated the effect of calcium spirulan
(Ca-SP) isolated from a blue-green alga, Spirulina
platensis, which is a sulfated polysaccharide chelating
calcium and mainly composed of rhamnose, on invasion
of B16-BL6 melanoma, Colon 26 M3.1 carcinoma and HT-1080
fibrosarcoma cells through reconstituted basement
membrane (Matrigel). Ca-SP significantly inhibited
the invasion of these tumor cells through Matrigel/fibronectin-coated
filters. Ca-SP also inhibited the haptotactic migration
of tumor cells to laminin, but it had no effect on
that to fibronectin. Ca-SP prevented the adhesion
of B16-BL6 cells to Matrigel and laminin substrates
but did not affect the adhesion to fibronectin. The
pretreatment of tumor cells with Ca-SP inhibited the
adhesion to laminin, while the pretreatment of laminin
substrates did not. Ca-SP had no effect on the production
and activation of type IV collagenase in gelatin zymography.
In contrast, Ca-SP significantly inhibited degradation
of heparan sulfate by purified heparanase. The experimental
lung metastasis was significantly reduced by co-injection
of B16-BL6 cells with Ca-SP. Seven intermittent i.v.
injections of 100 microg of Ca-SP caused a marked
decrease of lung tumor colonization of B16-BL6 cells
in a spontaneous lung metastasis model. These results
suggest that Ca-SP, a novel sulfated polysaccharide,
could reduce the lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma
cells, by inhibiting the tumor invasion of basement
membrane probably through the prevention of the adhesion
and migration of tumor cells to laminin substrate
and of the heparanase activity.
Antioxidant
activity of the microalga Spirulina maxima.
Miranda
MS, Cintra RG, Barros SB, Mancini Filho J Faculdade
de Farmacia e Bioquimica, Universidade Federal da
Bahia, Salvador, Brasil.
Braz J Med Biol
Res 1998 Aug;31(8):1075-9
Spirulina maxima, which is used as a food additive,
is a microalga rich in protein and other essential
nutrients. Spirulina contains phenolic acids, tocopherols
and beta-carotene which are known to exhibit antioxidant
properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate
the antioxidant capacity of a Spirulina extract. The
antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Spirulina
was determined in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro
antioxidant capacity was tested on a brain homogenate
incubated with and without the extract at 37 degrees
C. The IC50 (concentration which causes a 50% reduction
of oxidation) of the extract in this system was 0.18
mg/ml. The in vivo antioxidant capacity was evaluated
in plasma and liver of animals receiving a daily dose
of 5 mg for 2 and 7 weeks. Plasma antioxidant capacity
was measured in brain homogenate incubated for 1 h
at 37 degrees C. The production of oxidized compounds
in liver after 2 h of incubation at 37 degrees C was
measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactant
substances (TBARS) in control and experimental groups.
Upon treatment, the antioxidant capacity of plasma
was 71% for the experimental group and 54% for the
control group. Data from liver spontaneous peroxidation
studies were not significantly different between groups.
The amounts of phenolic acids, alpha-tocopherol and
beta-carotene were determined in Spirulina extracts.
The results obtained indicate that Spirulina provides
some antioxidant protection for both in vitro and
in vivo systems.
Hepatoprotective
effect of C-phycocyanin: protection for carbon tetrachloride
and R-(+)-pulegone-mediated hepatotoxicty in rats.
Vadiraja
BB, Gaikwad NW, Madyastha KM Department of Organic
Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,
560 012, India.
Biochem Biophys
Res Commun 1998 Aug 19;249(2):428-31
Effect
of C-phycocyanin (from Spirulina platensis) pretreatment
on carbontetrachloride and R-(+)-pulegone-induced
hepatotoxicity in rats was studied. Intraperitoneal
(i.p.) administration (200 mg/kg) of a single dose
of phycocyanin to rats, one or three hours prior to
R-(+)-pulegone (250 mg/kg) or carbontetrachloride
(0.6 ml/kg) challenge, significantly reduced the hepatotoxicity
caused by these chemicals. For instance, serum glutamate
pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) activity was almost equal
to control values. The losses of microsomal cytochrome
P450, glucose-6-phosphatase and aminopyrine-N-demethylase
were significantly reduced, suggesting that phycocyanin
provides protection to liver enzymes. It was noticed
that the level of menthofuran, the proximate toxin
of R-(+)-pulegone was nearly 70% more in the urine
samples collected from rats treated with R-(+)-pulegone
alone than rats treated with the combination of phycocyanin
and R-(+)-pulegone. The possible mechanism involved
in the hepatoprotection is discussed.
Inhibitory
effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic
reactions in rats by spirulina.
Kim
HM, Lee EH, Cho HH, Moon YH Department of Oriental
Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University,
Iksan, Chonbuk, South Korea. hmkim@med.wonkwang.ac.kr
Biochem Pharmacol
1998 Apr 1;55(7):1071-6
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.
Inhibition
of HIV-1 replication by an aqueous extract of Spirulina
platensis (Arthrospira platensis).
Ayehunie
S, Belay A, Baba TW, Ruprecht RM Laboratory of Viral
Pathogenesis, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard
Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
J Acquir Immune
Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1998 May 1;18(1):7-12
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.
Spirulina
maxima prevents induction of fatty liver by carbon
tetrachloride in the rat.
Torres-Duran
PV, Miranda-Zamora R, Paredes-Carbajal MC, Mascher
D, Diaz-Zagoya JC, Juarez-Oropeza MA Departamento
de Bioquimica, UNAM, Mexico, D.F., Mexico.
Biochem Mol Biol
Int 1998 Apr;44(4):787-93
The
aim of the present work was to assess the capacity
of Spirulina maxima to prevent fatty liver development
induced in rats by an intraperitoneal single dose
(1 ml/kg) of carbon tetrachloride. Liver and serum
lipids were quantified two or four days after treatment
with this agent. Liver lipid concentration did not
differ in rats fed on a purified diet with or without
Spirulina. However, after carbon tetrachloride treatment,
liver triacylglycerols were significantly lower in
rats fed on a diet with Spirulina 5% than in rats
without Spirulina in their diet (P < 0.05). Furthermore,
the increased liver cholesterol values, induced by
carbon tetrachloride treatment, were not observed
in rats that received Spirulina. These results support
the potential hepatoprotective role of Spirulina.
Spirulina
platensis inhibits anaphylactic reaction.
Yang
HN, Lee EH, Kim HM Department of Oriental Pharmacy,
College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Ikasn, Chonbuk,
South Korea.
Life Sci
1997;61(13):1237-44
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.
Effects
of dietary Spirulina maxima on endothelium dependent
vasomotor responses of rat aortic rings.
Paredes-Carbajal
MC, Torres-Duran PV, Diaz-Zagoya JC, Mascher D, Juarez-Oropeza
MA Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, UNAM,
Mexico D.F., Mexico. majo@servidor.unam.mx
Life Sci
1997;61(15):PL 211-9
The
aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Spirulina
maxima on vasomotor responses of aorta rings from
male Wistar rats fed on a purified diet. For this
purpose, the animals (weighing 200-240 g) were allocated
randomly in two groups. One receiving purified control
diet (A) and the other receiving purified diet containing
5% Spirulina (B). Purified diets were according to
American Institute of Nutrition guidelines and adjusted
to Spirulina protein content. All animals were fed
(20 g/day/rat) during two weeks, receiving water ad
libitum and 12 h. light-dark cycles. Spirulina maxima
effects were evaluated by concentration-response (CR)
curves of aorta rings with or without endothelium
to phenylephrine (PE), both in presence and absence
of indomethacin (Indom) or indomethacin plus L-NAME
(Indom. + L-NAME), and to carbachol (CCh). Aorta rings
with endothelium from group B showed, relative to
corresponding rings from group A: 1) a significant
decrease in the maximal tension developed in response
to PE. 2) this decrease was reverted by Indom. 3)
Indom. + L-NAME induced an additional increase in
the contractile responses to PE. 4) a significant
shift to the left of the CR curve to CCh. No significant
differences were observed in the tension developed
in response to PE in rings without endothelium from
either group. These results suggest that Spirulina
maxima may decrease vascular tone by increasing the
synthesis and release of both a vasodilating cyclooxygenase-dependent
product of arachidonic acid and nitric oxide, as well
as by decreasing the synthesis and release of a vasoconstricting
eicosanoid from the endothelial cells.
A
natural sulfated polysaccharide, calcium spirulan,
isolated from Spirulina platensis: in vitro and ex
vivo evaluation of anti-herpes simplex virus and anti-human
immunodeficiency virus activities.
Hayashi
K, Hayashi T, Kojima I Department of Virology, Toyama
Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses
1996 Oct 10;12(15):1463-71
A
sulfated polysaccharide named calcium spirulan (Ca-SP)
has been isolated from a sea alga, Spirulina platensis,
as an antiviral component. The anti-human immunodeficiency
virus type 1 (HIV-1) and anti-herpes simplex virus
type 1 (HSV-1) activities of Ca-SP were compared with
those of dextran sulfate (DS) as a representative
sulfated polysaccharide. Anti-HIV-1 activities of
these agents were measured by three different assays:
viability of acutely infected CD4-positive cells,
or a cytopathology assay; determination of HIV-1 p24
antigen released into culture supernatants; and inhibition
of HIV-induced syncytium formation. Anti-HSV-1 activity
was assessed by plaque yield reduction. In addition,
their effects on the blood coagulation processes and
stability in the blood were evaluated. These data
indicate that Ca-SP is a potent antiviral agent against
both HIV-1 and HSV-1. Furthermore, Ca-SP is quite
promising as an anti-HIV agent because even at low
concentrations of Ca-SP an enhancement of virus-induced
syncytium formation was not observed, as was observed
in DS-treated cultures, Ca-SP had very low anticoagulant
activity, and showed a much longer half-life in the
blood of mice when compared with that of DS. Thus,
Ca-SP can be a candidate agent for an anti-HIV therapeutic
drug that might overcome the disadvantages observed
in many sulfated polysaccharides. When the role of
chelation of calcium ion with sulfate groups was examined
by removing calcium or its replacement by sodium,
the presence of calcium ion in the molecule was shown
to be essential for the dose-dependent inhibition
of cytopathic effect and syncytium formation induced
by HIV-1.
Dietary
Spirulina platensis enhances humoral and cell-mediated
immune functions in chickens.
Qureshi
MA, Garlich JD, Kidd MT Department of Poultry Science,
North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7608,
USA.
Immunopharmacol
Immunotoxicol 1996 Aug;18(3):465-76
Cornell
K-strain White Leghorns and broiler chicks were raised
to 7 wks and 3 wks of age respectively, with diets
containing various levels (0, 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000
ppm) of Spirulina platensis from day of hatch. Chicks
in all treatment groups had comparable body weights.
While bursal and splenic weights did not change, the
K-strain chicks had larger thymuses (P < or = .05)
over the controls (0 ppm group). No differences were
observed in anti-sheep red blood cells antibodies
during primary response. However, during secondary
response, K-strain chicks in all Spirulina-dietary
groups had higher total anti-SRBC titers with 10,000
ppm group being the highest (6.8 Log2) versus the
0 ppm (5.5 Log2) group. In broiler chicks, a one Log
increase in IgG (P < or = .05) was observed in
10,000 ppm group over the controls. Similarly, chicks
in 10,000 ppm Spirulina group had a higher PHA-P-mediated
lymphoproliferative response over the 0 ppm controls.
Macrophages isolated from both K-strain (10,000 ppm
group) and broilers from all Spirulina groups had
higher phagocytic potential than the 0 ppm groups.
Spirulina supplementation at 10,000 ppm level also
increased NK-cell activity by two fold over the controls.
These studies show that Spirulina supplementation
increases several immunological functions implying
that a dietary inclusion of Spirulina at a level of
10,000 ppm may enhance disease resistance potential
in chickens.
Spirulina
platensis exposure enhances macrophage phagocytic
function in cats.
Qureshi
MA, Ali RA Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina
State University, Raleigh 27695-7608, USA.
Immunopharmacol
Immunotoxicol 1996 Aug;18(3):457-63
Bronchoalveolar
lavage macrophages isolated from cats were cultured
on glass coverslips. Macrophages were exposed to a
water-soluble extract of Spirulina platensis in concentration
range of 0 to 60 micrograms per mL for two hours.
Spirulina-extract exposure did not cause significant
macrophage cytotoxicity over untreated control cultures.
Macrophage monolayers from treated and control cultures
were incubated with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as
well as viable Escherichia coli. The percentages of
phagocytic macrophages for both of these particulate
antigens were higher (a two-fold increase in SRBC
phagocytosis and over 10% increase in Escherichia
coli uptake) in cultures treated with various concentrations
of Spirulina-extract. However, the numbers of either
types of particles internalized by phagocytic macrophage
were not different between the control and treated
cultures. These data which showed that Spirulina platensis
extract enhances macrophage phagocytic function imply
that dietary Spirulina supplementation may improve
the disease resistance potential in cats.
Calcium
spirulan, an inhibitor of enveloped virus replication,
from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis.
Hayashi
T, Hayashi K, Maeda M, Kojima I Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences and School of Medicine, Toyama Medical and
Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
J Nat Prod
1996 Jan;59(1):83-7
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.
Enhancement
of antibody production in mice by dietary Spirulina
platensis.
Hayashi
O, Katoh T, Okuwaki Y Department of Health and Nutrition,
Kagawa Nutrition University, Sakado, Japan.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol
(Tokyo) 1994 Oct;40(5):431-41
Mice
fed a Spirulina platensis diet showed increased numbers
of splenic antibody-producing cells in the primary
immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). However,
immunoglobulin G (IgG)-antibody production in the
secondary immune response was hardly affected. The
percentage of phagocytic cells in peritoneal macrophages
from the mice fed S. platensis diet, as well as the
proliferation of spleen cells by either concanavalin
A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was significantly
increased. Addition of a hot-water extract of S. platensis
(SHW) to an in vitro culture of spleen cells markedly
increased proliferation of these cells, whereas culture
of thymus cells was scarcely affected. The Spirulina
extract also significantly enhanced interleukin-1
(IL-1) production from peritoneal macrophages. Addition
to the in vitro spleen cell culture of SHW as well
as the supernatant of macrophages stimulated with
SHW resulted in enhancement of antibody production,
that is, an increase of the number of PFC. These results
suggest that Spirulina enhances the immune response,
particularly the primary response, by stimulating
macrophage functions, phagocytosis, and IL-1 production
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