Phycocyanin: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
C-phycocyanin
Scientific name(s)
Phycocyanin
Family or group:
Phytochemicals
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Healthy aging ✪✪✪✪✪
C-phycocyanin prevented DNA damage and eliminated hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals, which may have inhibited oxidation of red blood cells. It has also been reported that C-phycocyanin inhibited nearly 95% of peroxyl radical–induced lipid peroxidation. These effects were observed after supplementation with 8 g of spirulina per day for 12 to 16 weeks. In addition to its antioxidant activities, C-phycocyanin has been associated with mitochondrial and neuronal protection in animal models.
Posologie
Oral
100 - 1000 mg
12 weeks
aqueous extract
C-phycocyanin: A Potent Peroxyl Radical Scavenger in Vivo and in Vitro
A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Establish the Effects of Spirulina in Elderly Koreans
Preventive Effects of Spirulina Platensis on Skeletal Muscle Damage Under Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress
Revisiting the role of phycocyanin in current clinical practice
Medical Application of Spirulina platensis Derived C-Phycocyanin
Hypercholesterolemia ✪✪✪✪✪
C-phycocyanin can improve the lipid profile of healthy or dyslipidemic adults without side effects, unlike the liver and muscle side effects associated with statins. The reductions in LDL and total cholesterol are significant compared with a placebo group, representing a decrease in total cholesterol of between 9% and 33%, LDL between 9% and 45%, and an increase in HDL between 4.2% and 15%. The doses used in these studies ranged from 1 to 10 g of spirulina per day for 4 weeks to 6 months.
Posologie
Oral
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
Spirulina in Clinical Practice: Evidence-Based Human Applications
A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to establish the effects of spirulina in elderly Korean
Effects of dietary Spirulina on vascular reactivity
Antihyperlipemic and antihypertensive effects of Spirulina maxima in an open sample of Mexican population: a preliminary report
Antihyperlipemic and antihypertensive effects of Spirulina maxima in an open sample of Mexican population: a preliminary report
Immune support ✪✪✪✪✪
Phycocyanin stimulates the proliferation of immune cells, strengthens biological defense activity against infectious diseases by supporting mucosal immune system functions and reducing inflammation.
Posologie
Orally
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
C-Phycocyanin-derived Phycocyanobilin as a Potential Nutraceutical Approach for Major Neurodegenerative Disorders and COVID-19- induced Damage to the Nervous System
Revisiting the role of phycocyanin in current clinical practice
A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to establish the effects of spirulina in elderly Koreans
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
Supplementation with 8 g of spirulina per day for 12 weeks significantly reduced plasma levels of malondialdehyde, a biomarker of oxidative stress, in diabetic patients. Similarly, healthy elderly Korean subjects who consumed 8 g per day of spirulina for 16 weeks showed a decrease in lipid peroxidation levels, while total antioxidant status and levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and GPx, were elevated in plasma, indicating that spirulina supplementation may have improved antioxidant status in human subjects. This effect has been associated with the C-phycocyanin component. In addition, phycocyanin prevented DNA damage and neutralized free radicals.
Posologie
Oral administration
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
Revisiting the role of phycocyanin in current clinical practice
A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to establish the effects of spirulina in elderly Koreans
Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of spirulina supplementation in humans
Phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin from Spirulina platensis protect against diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting oxidative stress
Sports performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Phycocyanin could increase exercise performance, fat oxidation, glutathione concentration, and attenuate exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, but the mechanisms remain to be studied.
Posologie
Oral administration
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
Preventive effects of Spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress
Efficacy of spirulina supplementation on isometric strength and isometric endurance of quadriceps in trained and untrained individuals; a comparative study
Liver disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The hepatoprotective effect of phycocyanin is mainly due to its ability to scavenge free radicals and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. These properties help reduce enzymatic losses in the liver and consequently protect it from potential cell lysis.
Posologie
Orally
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
Detoxification ✪✪✪✪✪
Phycocyanin very effectively reduces the toxicity of chemical agents (heavy metals, drugs). It is recommended to include it systematically in detoxification regimens.
Posologie
Orally
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
Synergies
Properties
Antioxidant
The chemical structure of phycocyanin is very close to that of bilirubin, which is known to be an important physiological antioxidant against reactive oxygen species. Research on the antioxidant capacity of phycocyanin compared to trolox, a water-soluble analog of vitamin E and an antioxidant specific to alkoxyl radicals, shows that phycocyanin has a significant activity against alkoxyl radicals. Other studies have shown that phycocyanin has antioxidant activity against peroxyl radicals comparable to uric acid. Indeed, uric acid is known to be a specific antioxidant of peroxyl radicals. In addition, natural or reduced phycocyanin appears to have antioxidant and protective effects against lipid peroxidation. The latter is involved in certain pathologies in which oxidative stress plays a role, such as cardiovascular diseases.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties of phycocyanin have been widely demonstrated. In vitro, the proposed mode of action appears to be similar to that of coxibs, anti-inflammatory drugs that directly target cyclooxygenase-2 (an enzyme responsible for inflammatory states). Phycocyanin also has antioxidant properties that may play a role in inhibiting inflammatory reactions. Indeed, it is well established that some inflammatory tissue damage involves reactive oxygen species as intermediates. Oxidants such as hydroxyl radicals, superoxides, or hydrogen peroxide are formed at the site of inflammation and contribute to the persistence of tissue damage in certain acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Thus, the anti-inflammatory activity of phycocyanin results from a combination of non-enzymatic action, through antioxidant properties, and enzymatic action, through selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).
Usages associés
Hepatoprotective
The hepatoprotective effect of phycocyanin is mainly due to its free radical-scavenging ability and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. These various properties help reduce enzymatic losses in the liver and consequently protect it from potential cellular destruction.
Usages associés
Immune stimulant
Phycocyanin affects immune functions by stimulating the proliferation or differentiation of immune cells in lymphoid organs. Zhang et al. showed that phycocyanin enhances erythropoietic cell activity, thereby promoting the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow as well as lymphocyte activity, strengthening its ability to prevent and resist diseases.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Several studies have shown that phycocyanin can activate apoptosis in different types of cell lines. The induction of apoptosis by phycocyanin in cancer cells is achieved in several ways: first, through its inhibitory action on cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), thereby interfering with the arachidonic acid cascade; second, through the release of cytochrome c, which triggers a series of events leading to programmed cell death (apoptosis); third, through cleavage of PARP, a family of enzymes that detect and repair DNA; and finally, through dysregulation of Bcl-2 family proteins, which play a key role in the regulation of apoptosis.
Usages associés
Chelator
C-phycocyanin is a ligand for heavy metals including arsenic. It therefore helps facilitate the elimination of heavy metals present in the body.
Usages associés
Hypolipidemic
The C-phycocyanin compound inhibits cholesterol absorption in the jejunum, bile acid reabsorption in the ileum, and inhibits pancreatic lipase activity (an enzyme responsible for fat digestion).
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 100 mg - 1000 mg
No dosage information is available to make recommendations. One study indicates that 1 g/day of phycocyanin is generally recognized as safe.
Interactions
Médicaments
Immunosuppressant: moderate interaction
Phycocyanin has immune-stimulating effects. Theoretically, supplementation taken together with an immunosuppressive treatment could reduce the treatment's effectiveness.
Precautions
Breastfeeding women: avoid
There is not enough information on the safety of phycocyanin use in breastfeeding women.
Pregnant women: avoid
There is not enough information on the safety of phycocyanin use in pregnant women.
Contraindications
Autoimmune diseases: contraindicated
Phycocyanin stimulates the immune system, which could worsen autoimmune diseases.
