Spirulina (Arthrospira) exerts a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities which are mainly attributed to its antioxidant effect. However, Spirulina has also been reported (both in preclinical and in clinical scenarios) to exhibit other bioactive effects, including an antitoxic potential.
Cadmium, mercury, lead, iron, and arsenic (metalloid) are the metals frequently involved in health problems Toxic effects of metals. Among their most common toxic effects are carcinogenesis, teratogenesis, inhibition of immune function, injury to organs including liver and kidney; nervous and respiratory systems, endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, vascular disease, and damage to the intestinal mucosa.
We performed a systematic review of the literature, conducted in TOXNET, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Science Direct-Scopus; all available years were included. Searching criteria included the effects of Spirulina on experimental poisonings from arsenic, cadmium, carbon tetrachloride, deltamethrin, fluoride, hexachlorocyclohexane, iron, lead, lindane, and mercury.
In all cases, it was established that the blue-green alga, and its isolated compounds, effectively counteracted these pollutants toxic effects on the exposed organisms. Spirulina showed a protective effect against arsenic, hexachlorohexane, and carbon tetrachloride, regardless of its dose, route of administration, and animal model.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26439611/
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