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Abstract

Background: Spirulina is a commercial alga well known to contain various antioxidants, especially phycocyanin. Most of the previous reports on antioxidant activity of Spirulina were based on chemical rather than cell-based assays. The primary objective of this study was to assess the antioxidant activity of aqueous extract from Spirulina based on its protective effect against genotoxicity induced by doxirubcin (DOX) or valproic acid (VAP). Methods: The antioxidant and genoprotective activity of Spirulina platensis (SP) water extract was assessed using both chemical and cell-based genotoxic assays. In the cell-based genotoxic assay Isolated human peripheral lymphocytes were treated with varying concentrations of SP (10.0, or 20.0 �¼M) alone or in combination with doxirubcin (DXR) (0.15 �¼g/mL) or valproic acid (VAP), Comet assays and apoptotic cell studies were performed to evaluate the effect of SP. Spectrophotometric assays were also used to assess the antioxidant activity of the extract. Results: Spirulina (SP) extract did not cause cytotoxic effect on human lymphocytes within the range of concentrations tested (10 - 20 �¼M). The extract reduced significantly (p<0.05) apoptotic cell death and DNA damage due to DOX and VAP. Based on the antioxidants assay, the extract showed higher total antioxidant capacity in both water-soluble and lipid-soluble antioxidants Conclusions: The results showed that aqueous extract of spirulina has a protective effect against apoptotic cell death and DNA damage induced by either DOX or VAP due to free radicals. The potential application of incorporating spirulina into food products and beverages to enhance their antioxidant capacity and cytoprotective is worth exploring.

Biography

Email: m.abdelmotaal@sau.edu.sa