Abstract
BackgroundSpirulina platensis produced in Nomayos (Cameroon) is used as a dietary supplement. S. platensis is known as a neutraceutical with many beneficial effects on humans like lipid-lowering action. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of hypolipidemic action of aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) through the toxicological studies.MethodsIn this study, we included two month old Wistar rats, weighing between 180 and 200 g. Aqueous S. platensis was extracted and prepared using standard methods. The rats received a supplementation of S. platensis at 5000 mg/Kg of body weight as single dose in acute toxicity whereas different doses (250, 500, 1000 mg / kg body weight) were administered in subacute toxicity compared to control. Acute and subacute toxicities were determined according to the guidelines 420 (14 days) and 407 (28 days) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) respectively. Biochemical parameters such as urea, creatinine, total and direct bilirubin, lipid profile and transaminases; and histopathological analysis of the liver and kidneys were used to evaluate the toxicity of S. platensis on these Wistar rats. Plasmatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA reductase) and lecithine cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) were performed to explain the lipid-lowering action of S. platensis. Histopathological analysis of the liver and kidneys was performed.ResultsOur results show a decrease in total cholesterol for male rats (from 84 to 74 mg/dl) when the dose of S. platensis increased; this reduction of the total cholesterol level in male rats was significant at 500 mg/kg. There was also a significant inhibition of HMG CoA reductase in a dose dependent manner between 25 and 84.5 fold compared to the control in both male and female groups. At the dose of 250 mg/kg bw, the level of LCAT was higher compared with other groups and control, but the difference was not statistically significant. A slight inflammation in the liver and the mesangial hyperplasia of the renal glomeruli was revealed by the histopathological investigation in subacute toxicity.ConclusionSpirulina platensis from Cameroon appears to have little toxic effects and may demonstrate hypolipidemic activity through the activation of LCAT.
Highlights
Spirulina platensis produced in Nomayos (Cameroon) is used as a dietary supplement
There was neither mortality observed at the tested dose nor weight loss in the rats receiving S. platensis
In our study we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of S. platensis on lipid profile mainly on the plasmatic activity of lecithine cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) and HMG-CoA reductase after 28 days of toxicological studies
Summary
S. platensis is known as a neutraceutical with many beneficial effects on humans like lipid-lowering action. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of hypolipidemic action of aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) through the toxicological studies. Spirulina is a cyanobacteria belonging to the class of Cyanophyceae, Order of Oscillatoriaceae. It is called Arthrospira, with photosynthetic effects [1]. S. platensis is a neutraceutical with many beneficial effects on humans such as antiviral, immunomodulation, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, antioxidant and lipid-lowering [4,5,6,7,8]. The hypolipidemic effect of S.platensis or its extracts has been demonstrated in various animal models including mouse, rat, hamster and rabbit [9]. The cholesterol lowering activity of S. platensis was first reported in albino rats [10], followed by mice [11]
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