Phycocyanin: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
C-phycocyanin
Scientific name(s)
Phycocyanin
Family or group:
Phytosubstances
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Healthy Aging ✪✪✪✪✪
Phycocyanin prevented DNA damage and eliminated hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals, which could inhibit red blood cells oxidation. It was also reported that phycocyanin inhibited nearly 95% of lipid peroxidation induced by peroxyl radicals. These effects were observed after spirulina supplementation of 8 g per day for 12 to 16 weeks. In addition to its antioxidant activities, 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 ✪✪✪✪✪
Phycocyanin helps improve the lipid profile of healthy or dyslipidemic adults without side effects unlike the hepatic and myalgic effects of statins. The decrease in LDL and cholesterol is significant compared to a placebo group, representing a reduction in cholesterol between 9 and 33%, in LDL between 9 and 45%, and an increase in HDL between 4.2 and 15%. Doses used in these studies varied 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 Boosting ✪✪✪✪✪
Phycocyanin stimulates the proliferation of immune cells, enhances biological defense activity against infectious diseases by supporting mucosal immune system functions and reducing inflammation.
Posologie
Oral
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 ✪✪✪✪✪
A supplementation with 8 g per day of spirulina for 12 weeks significantly reduced plasma levels of malondialdehyde, a biomarker of oxidative stress, in diabetic patients. Similarly, healthy aged 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 was associated with the C-Phycocyanin component. Additionally, phycocyanin prevented DNA damage and neutralized free radicals.
Posologie
Oral route
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 might increase exercise performance, fat oxidation, glutathione concentration, and attenuate lipid peroxidation due to physical activity, but the mechanisms remain to be studied.
Posologie
Oral route
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 possible due to its free radical scavenging power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. These various properties help reduce enzymatic losses in the liver and consequently protect it from potential cellular lysis.
Posologie
Oral route
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
Detoxification ✪✪✪✪✪
Phycocyanin very effectively reduces the toxicity of chemical products (heavy metals, pharmaceuticals). It is advised to systematically associate it in detox cures.
Posologie
Oral route
100 - 1000 mg
aqueous extract
Synergies
Properties
Antioxidant
The chemical structure of phycocyanin is very similar to that of bilirubin, known to be an important physiological antioxidant against reactive oxygen species. Research on the antioxidant capacity of phycocyanin compared to trolox, a water-soluble analogue of vitamin E and specific antioxidant for alkoxyl radicals, shows that phycocyanin has a significant activity on alkoxyl radicals. Other research has shown that phycocyanin has antioxidant activity on peroxyl radicals comparable to uric acid. Indeed, uric acid is known to be a specific antioxidant for peroxyl radicals. Moreover, natural or reduced phycocyanin seems to have an antioxidant action and protective effect against lipid peroxidation, which plays a role in certain pathologies where oxidative stress is involved, such as cardiovascular diseases.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties of phycocyanin have been extensively demonstrated. In vitro, the mode of action appears to be similar to that of coxibs, anti-inflammatory drugs targeting cyclooxygenase-2 (an enzyme responsible for inflammatory states). Phycocyanin also has antioxidant properties that may play a role in inhibiting inflammatory reactions. It's well established that some inflammatory tissue damages have reactive oxygen species as intermediaries. Oxidants such as hydroxyl radicals, superoxides, or hydrogen peroxide are formed at the site of inflammation and contribute to maintaining tissue damage in some 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, by selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2).
Usages associés
Hepatoprotective
The hepatoprotective effect of phycocyanin is primarily possible thanks to its free radical scavenging power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. These various properties help reduce enzyme losses in the liver and consequently protect it from potential cellular destruction.
Usages associés
Immunostimulant
Phycocyanin affects immune functions by stimulating the proliferation or differentiation of immune cells in lymphoid organs. Zhang et al. showed that phycocyanin enhances the activity of erythropoietic cells, thus promoting the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow as well as the activity of lymphocytes, enhancing its ability to prevent and resist diseases.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Several studies have highlighted that phycocyanin was capable of activating apoptosis in various types of cell lines. The induction of apoptosis by phycocyanin on cancer cells is achieved through several means: firstly, by its inhibitory action on cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), thus interfering with the arachidonic acid cascade; secondly, by the release of cytochrome c, which triggers a series of events leading to programmed cell death (apoptosis); thirdly, by the cleavage of PARP, a family of enzymes detecting and repairing DNA; and finally, by the deregulation of Bcl-2 family proteins, which play a crucial role in the regulation of apoptosis.
Usages associés
Chelator
C-Phycocyanin is a ligand of heavy metals including arsenic. It thus facilitates the elimination of heavy metals present in the body.
Usages associés
Hypolipidemic
The C-Phycocyanin compound inhibits cholesterol absorption at the jejunal level, reabsorption of bile acids at the ileal level, and inhibits the activity of pancreatic lipase (an enzyme allowing fat digestion).
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 100 mg - 1000 mg
No dosages available to make recommendations. A study indicates that 1 g/day of phycocyanin is generally recognized as safe.
Interactions
Médicaments
Immunosuppressant: moderate interaction
Phycocyanin has immunostimulant effects. Theoretically, supplementation in conjunction with immunosuppressant treatment reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
Precautions
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
There is insufficient information on the safety of phycocyanin intake in breastfeeding women.
Pregnant woman: avoid
There is insufficient information on the safety of phycocyanin intake in pregnant women.
Contraindications
Autoimmune diseases: forbidden
Phycocyanin stimulates the immune system which could worsen autoimmune diseases.
