Insights on the safety of carotenogenic Chlorella vulgaris in rodents

Mello-Sampayo, Cristina de; Corvo, M. Luísa; Mendes, Rogério; Duarte, Diana; Lucas, Joana; Pinto, Rui; Batista, Ana Paula; Raymundo, Anabela; Silva‐Lima, Beatriz; Bandarra, Narcisa M.; Gouveia, Luísa

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2013.07.005

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…In erythrocytes the decreased AA content and the two-fold enrichment in EPA and DPA by D. vlkianum -supplementation are in line to other studies where a rapid accumulation of EPA in human erythrocytes after these n-3 PUFA supplementation is shown [ 23 ]. These FA changes resulted in an increase in the n-3/n-6 ratio coincident with the observed beneficial effect on erythrocytes plasticity of rats fed D. vlkianum -diet for two month (D66), are in line with rat’s erythrocytes lifetime [ 24 , 25 ], and with the proposed use of blood cells as a long term FA balance marker with no influence of recent dietary fat intake [ 26 ]. Consequently, the omega-3 Index (content of EPA + DHA expressed as a percentage of total FA in erythrocytes) of animals fed with D. vlkianum biomass increased to 5.1%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…At the end of either the single-dose study or the schedule repeated-administration period, a complete necropsy was conducted on all animals which included examination of the external surface, the cranial, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic compartments, including viscera as previously described [ 24 ]. In addition, rats’ liver, kidney, heart, brain, visceral and subcutaneous-fat samples were frozen for subsequent FA analysis (repeated-dose study).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Marine Microalga Diacronema vlkianum Biomass Fatty Acid Assimilation in Wistar Rats

et al. 2017

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Diacronema vlkianum is a marine microalgae for which supposed health promoting effects have been claimed based on its phytochemical composition. The potential use of its biomass as health ingredient, including detox-shakes, and the lack of bioavailability studies were the main concerns. In order to evaluate the microalgae-biomass assimilation and its health-benefits, single-dose (CD1-mice) studies were followed by 66-days repeated-dose study in Wistar rats with the highest tested single-dose of microalgae equivalent to 101 mg/kg eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA). Microalgae-supplementation modulated EPA and docosapentaenoic acid enrichment at arachidonic acid content expenditure in erythrocytes and liver, while increasing EPA content of heart and adipose tissues of rats. Those fatty acid (FA) changes confirmed the D. vlkianum-biomass FA assimilation. The principal component analyses discriminated brain from other tissues, which formed two other groups (erythrocytes, liver, and heart separated from kidney and adipose tissues), pointing to a distinct signature of FA deposition for the brain and for the other organs. The improved serum lipid profile, omega-3 index and erythrocyte plasticity support the cardiovascular benefits of D. vlkianum. These results bolster the potential of D. vlkianum-biomass to become a “heart-healthy” food supplement providing a safe and renewable source of bioavailable omega-3 FA.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Marine Microalga Diacronema vlkianum Biomass Fatty Acid Assimilation in Wistar Rats

et al. 2017

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“…Chlorella extracts showed to have antitumor and antioxidant properties (Miranda et al, 1998). This microalga is also able to lower blood pressure (Rani et al, 2018) and cholesterol levels, accelerate wound healing, enhance the immune system (Bishop & Zubeck, 2012) and have a positive effect in reducing gastric ulcers, constipation, anaemia, hypertension and diabetes (Mello-Sampayo et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of nutraceutical potential of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis

Matos

Cardoso

Falé

et al. 2019

Int J of Food Sci Tech

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The microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis were evaluated as nutraceuticals. It was observed that Arthrospira platensis is richer in saturated fatty acids (FA) and Chlorella vulgaris richer in monounsaturated FA. Within polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), n3 PUFA content was below 1% in Arthrospira sp and over 10% in Chlorella vulgaris. This microalga had the lowest polyphenolic content. The highest value was found in the aqueous extract of Arthrospira platensis, 334 AE 32 mg GAE per 100 g dw. Regarding DPPH, only aqueous extracts of Chlorella vulgaris yielded antioxidant activity with an inhibitory activity of 80 AE 1%. ABTS results showed stronger inhibition through the aqueous extracts than through the ethanolic extracts, 89%-93% vs. 24%-32%. Concerning cytotoxicity, ethanolic extracts of Chlorella vulgaris induced a cell viability decrease of approximately 80%. The biochemical characterisation and bioactivity assessment of Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis showed that these microalgae have potential for nutraceutical applications.

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“…In another study, the intake of carotenogenic of C. vulgaris did not demonstrate any Fig. 4 Microscopic liver findings of rats treated with C. vulgaris in the sighting and main studies, with no evidence of toxicity, such as inflammation, necrosis and apoptosis (H&E ×50) toxicity signs for doses exceeding the proposed carotenoid human-diet dose (de Mello-Sampayo et al 2013). Other previous studies have reported the usage of C. vulgaris in mice and rats for up to 500 mg kg −1 BW and 300 mg kg −1 BW of C. vulgaris, respectively (Dantas and Queiroz 1999; Ngah and Yusof 2006;Mukti et al 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Toxicity study of Chlorella vulgaris water extract on female Sprague Dawley rats by using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 420

et al. 2020

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Chlorella vulgaris, a coccoid green eukaryotic microalga, is a popular food supplement and has been marketed as a nutritional supplement in Asia. Despite numerous reports on the antioxidant property of this species, its toxic effect has not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine the acute oral toxic effect of C. vulgaris on female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. An acute oral toxicity assessment of C. vulgaris was performed based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 420. These guidelines are divided into a sighting study and a main study. In the sighting study, C. vulgaris extract was administered orally in sequential doses of 5, 50, 300 and 2000 mg kg−1 body weight (BW) with one rat used for each dosage. Clinical observation and mortality were observed for each rat to monitor signs of toxicity for 14 days. BW and relative organ weight (ROW) were recorded. Blood was collected for liver function test (LFT). Gross pathological evaluations were performed after euthanasia of rats. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver and kidney was also performed. The main study was performed based on the highest dose in the sighting study that did not exhibit any signs of toxicity and mortality. For 14 days, clinical observations, BW, and ROW were recorded. Blood from rats in the main study was also measured for LFT, and gross pathological evaluations and H&E staining of the liver and kidney were also performed. The highest dose of 2000 mg kg−1 BW C. vulgaris was used in the main study. No toxicity and mortality were observed in both the sighting study and the main study. Increases in BW were observed in both studies. Gross pathological evaluations showed no signs of organ abnormalities on each organ in the sighting and main studies. The ROW also showed no differences. The values of biochemical parameters in the liver function test showed no differences in the sighting study. However, in the main study, significant decreases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed on day 14 compared with day 0 (p < 0.05). Chlorella vulgaris showed no toxicity at the dose of 2000 mg kg−1 BW. In conclusion, C. vulgaris can be categorized as unclassified according to the Globally Harmonised Classification System (GHS) for chemical substances and mixtures.

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Insights on the safety of carotenogenic Chlorella vulgaris in rodents

Cited by 15 publications

References 37 publications

Evaluation of Marine Microalga Diacronema vlkianum Biomass Fatty Acid Assimilation in Wistar Rats

Evaluation of Marine Microalga Diacronema vlkianum Biomass Fatty Acid Assimilation in Wistar Rats

Investigation of nutraceutical potential of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis

Toxicity study of Chlorella vulgaris water extract on female Sprague Dawley rats by using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 420

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