Spirulina, Lung and Pancreatic Cancer Cells: Review

Research context: This article summarizes findings reported in the linked sources. Much of the research described here uses cell models, animals or isolated Spirulina compounds; it does not establish that eating Spirulina prevents or treats cancer in people. SPRU is a food, not a substitute for cancer screening, diagnosis or care.

Functional foods show non-toxic bioactive compounds that offer health benefits beyond their nutritional value and beneficially modulate one or more target functions in the body.

Spirulina stands out for its rich composition of bioactive compounds, as well as unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids, which contribute to basic human nutrition and can be used as a protein source for diets free from animal products.

In addition, spirulina has colored compounds, such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, phycocyanins, and phenolic compounds, and natural antioxidants that support its anticancer, neuroprotective, probiotic biological activities and immune system stimulating effect.

Improvement of immune system and antitumor activity

In addition to probiotic effects, microalgae derivatives have the potential to improve the immune system and antitumor activity.

The increase in the immune response, through the induction of tumor necrosis, phagocytosis, and the production of interleukin, results from the wide range of sulfate groups, sulfate esters, and amine residues present in spirulina polysaccharides.

The antioxidant activity of spirulina is also associated with activity against lung cancer cells.

Microalgae extract affects the cell cycle of the A549 lung cancer cell line, increasing the production of reactive oxygen species and cell membrane lipid peroxidation.

An extract of Spirulina demonstrated inhibitory effects on the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer (PA-TU-8902).

Furthermore, the extract allowed the regulation of mRNA and VEGF-A protein expressions in tumor cells, inhibited ERK activation and suppressed the expression of ERK-regulated proteins.

Conclusion

Spirulina's potential for cancer cell treatments lies mainly in the significant inhibitory effects on cancer cells while protecting normal cells. 

The anticancer effect of Spirulina was associated with suppressive effects on the migration and invasiveness of tumor cells with different antiangiogenic characteristics.

Learn More

Functional properties of bioactive compounds from Spirulina spp.: Current status and future trends

FOOD CHEMISTRY: MOLECULAR SCIENCES 2022 - Chapter 5.2 

 SLI-CA21