Cited by 73Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon MonoxideNeonatal Health and BiochemistryMicrobial Metabolism and Applications

C-Phycocyanin-derived Phycocyanobilin as a Potential Nutraceutical Approach for Major Neurodegenerative Disorders and COVID-19-induced Damage to the Nervous System

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Pentón-Rol, Giselle, Marín-Prida, Javier, McCarty, Mark F.·2021·Current Neuropharmacology

Abstract

The edible cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis and its chief biliprotein C-Phycocyanin have shown protective activity in animal models of diverse human health diseases, often reflecting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The beneficial effects of C-Phycocyanin seem likely to be primarily attributable to its covalently attached chromophore Phycocyanobilin (PCB). Within cells, biliverdin is generated from free heme and it is subsequently reduced to bilirubin. Although bilirubin can function as an oxidant scavenger, its potent antioxidant activity reflects its ability to inactivate some isoforms of NADPH oxidase. Free bilirubin can also function as an agonist for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR); this may explain its ability to promote protective Treg activity in cellular and rodent models of inflammatory disease. AhR agonists also promote transcription of the gene coding for Nrf-2, and hence can up-regulate phase 2 induction of antioxidant enzymes, such as HO-1. Hence, it is proposed that C-Phycocyanin/PCB chiefly exert their protective effects via inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, as well as by AhR agonism that both induces Treg activity and up-regulates phase 2 induction. This simple model may explain their potent antioxidant/antiinflammatory effects. Additionally, PCB might mimic biliverdin in activating anti-inflammatory signaling mediated by biliverdin reductase. This essay reviews recent research in which CPhycocyanin and/or PCB, administered orally, parenterally, or intranasally, have achieved marked protective effects in rodent and cell culture models of Ischemic Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis, and suggests that these agents may likewise be protective for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and in COVID-19 and its neurological complications.

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  • Arthrospira platensis has a regulatory effect on cholesterol level, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders.

    “In addition to its rich mineral content, vitamin and amino acids composition, antiviral and anti-inflammatory action, Arthrospira platensis has also a regulatory effect on cholesterol level, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders [86,87].”

    From Application of Arthrospira platensis for Medicinal Purposes and the Food Industry: A Review of the Literature (2023) · cites this paper as [86]

    The Conclusion and Perspectives section describes antioxidant effects of Spirulina extracts, and the review discusses neuroprotective effects in experimental models. Its References also list a rat study of a lipid-lowering diet enriched with Arthrospira platensis and a study of C-phycocyanin protecting rat brain mitochondria. These passages do not establish a general regulatory effect of Arthrospira platensis on cholesterol levels or mitochondrial dysfunction; much of the evidence concerns extracts or isolated compounds in experimental models. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [11]Mathur M. Bioactive Molecules of Spirulina: A Food Supplement. Bioactive Molecules in Food. Mérillon J-M. Ramawat K.G. Cham Springer International Publishing 2018 1 22
  2. [229]Mesci P. Macia A. Saleh A. Martin-Sancho L. Yin X. Snethlage C. Avansini S. Chanda S.K. Muotri A. Sofosbuvir protects human brain organoids against SARS-CoV-2. bioRxiv 2020 2020 05.30.125856
  3. [233]Brahmaiah P. Ankit P. In silico screening of food bioactive compounds to predict potential inhibitors of COVID-19 main protease (Mpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). ChemRxiv 2020

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Authors
Pentón-Rol, G., Marín-Prida, J., & McCarty, M. F.
Affiliations
  • Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 e/158 y 190, Playa. PO Box: 6162, Havana,Cuba
  • Centre for Research and Biological Evaluations, Institute of Pharmacy and Food, University of Havana, Ave. 23 e/ 214 y 222, La Lisa. PO Box: 430, Havana,Cuba
  • Catalytic Longevity (US)
Venue
Current Neuropharmacology
Published
2021-12
Volume
19
Issue
12
Pages
2250-2275
ISSN
1570-159X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3140179711
Cited by
73
References
266
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 2
FWCI
3.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Current Neuropharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Neonatal Health and Biochemistry
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Microbial Metabolism and Applications
Keywords
C-phycocyanin, phycocyanobilin, Spirulina platensis, cyanobacteria, neuroprotection, neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, neurological complications of COVID-19, bilirubin, NADPH oxidase inhibition, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1, biliverdin reductase, regulatory T cells, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, nutraceuticals
MeSH terms
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Animals, Humans, Phycocyanin, Dietary Supplements, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Phycobilins

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