Affiliation:
1. Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
2. Department of
Phytopharmaceuticals (Traditional Pharmacy), School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz,
Iran
3. Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
4. Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5. Traditional Medicine and Hydrotherapy Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
6. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Abstract:
Spirulina or Arthrospira, a Cyanobacterium from the class Cyanophyceae, with a wide
range of properties, has been applied for over 400 years. The present study aimed to review available
investigations surrounding the clinical and pharmacological properties of Spirulina that have been carried
out so far. Databases including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were
searched for relevant literature using the keywords: (Spirulina), (pharmacology), and (clinical). About
130 papers that studied the pharmacological characteristics of Spirulina in animal models, as well as
clinical trials, were selected from the beginning to 29 July 2021. According to this review, antioxidative,
anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, hypolipidemic, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial,
anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetic, and radio-protective functions are attributed to Spirulina. Moreover,
Spirulina's positive influence on several organs, including hair, skin, liver, CNS, lung, and genitourinary
tract, are ascribed to different components of various species of Spirulina such as Spirulina
platensis, Spirulina fusiformis, and Spirulina maxima. Although so many studies have been accomplished
on every aspect of Spirulina in recent years, the lack of a comprehensive investigation surrounding
this microalga encouraged us to prepare this paper. Therefore, the present study could be
considered an up-to-date overview of the clinical, pharmacological, and molecular aspects of Spirulina,
resulting in more occupational research on this valuable organism.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
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