Spirulina Extract and Lung-Cancer Cells: A 2021 Lab Study

Research note: This is an in-vitro cell study. It does not show that Spirulina treats lung cancer in people.

What the study tested

The cited 2021 study evaluated a Spirulina extract in A549 lung-cancer cells and HFF cells, using several concentrations and a 24-hour exposure. The researchers measured cell viability and laboratory markers related to oxidative stress, cell-cycle activity and cell death.

What the researchers reported

They reported lower A549 cell viability at higher extract concentrations and changes in measured cell-cycle and apoptosis outcomes. Those results apply to the cell cultures and conditions used in the experiment.

Limits

Cell cultures are not people. These findings do not establish that the extract protects normal tissue, prevents cancer or is a treatment. The tested extract is not shown to be equivalent to SPRU fresh-frozen Spirulina.

Source

“Study the antioxidant effects of blue-green algae Spirulina extract on ROS and MDA production in human lung cancer cells” (2021).