The antitumor activity of Arthrospira platensis and/or cisplatin in a murine model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma with hematinic and hepato-renal protective action

Abstract

• Spirulina (SP) has antitumor action in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. • SP potentiated cisplatin (CDDP) antitumor activity in EAC bearing mice. • SP and or CDDP adjusted peritoneal Caspase-3 and Ki-67 immunoexpression. • SP reduced CDDP induced hepato-renal damage. • SP corrected CDDP - induced hematological and bone marrow alterations. Herein two experiments were conducted. The first experiment evaluated the antitumor activity of Arthrospira platensis ( Spirulina platensis , SP) alone or in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. The second experiment assessed the outcomes of SP and/or CDDP administration on renal, hepatic, and bone marrow function in normal mice. The results showed that the EAC evoked a significant decrease in the mice survival rate, life span percentage, antioxidant defense system, and Caspase-3 immunoexpression but a significant increase in the viable cancer cells count, tumor and lipid peroxidation biomarkers concentrations, and Ki-67 immunoexpression. The EAC induced alterations improved to various degrees following SP and/or CDDP administration. SP minimized the oxidative hepatic and renal DNA-damaging and hematotoxic effect of CDDP. Overall, SP has a potent anticancer activity and could be used effectively as a hematinic and hepato-renal protective agent with anticancer drugs like CDDP.