Mechanisms involved in the antiplatelet effect of C-phycocyanin

Abstract

C-phycocyanin (cpc), a biliprotein isolated from Spirulina platensis, has been reported to exert many therapeutic and nutritional values. In the present study, we examined whether cpc has an antiplatelet activity in vitro and further investigated the possible anti-aggregatory mechanisms involved. Our results showed that preincubation of cpc (1 -50 mg/ml) with rabbit washed platelets dose-dependently inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by collagen (10 mg/ml) or arachidonic acid (100 mM), with an IC 50 of about 10 mg/ml. Furthermore, the thromboxane B 2 formation caused by collagen or arachidonic acid was significantly inhibited by cpc due to suppression of cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthase activity. Similarly, the rise of platelet intracellular calcium level stimulated by arachidonic acid and collagen-induced platelet membrane surface glycoprotein IIb/IIIa expression were also attenuated by cpc. In addition, cpc itself significantly increased the platelet membrane fluidity and the cyclic AMP level through inhibiting cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. These findings strongly demonstrate that cpc is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, which may be associated with mechanisms including inhibition of thromboxane A 2 formation, intracellular calcium mobilization and platelet surface glycoprotein IIb/IIIa expression accompanied by increasing cyclic AMP formation and platelet membrane fluidity.C-phycocyanin: Platelet aggregation: Thromboxane B 2 : Cyclic AMP

Anti-inflammatory activity of c-phycocyanin in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

“…C-phycocyanin (C-PC), a biliprotein found in blue green algae such as Spirulina platensis, is often used as a dietary nutritional supplement in many countries due to its therapeutic value, including hepatoprotective, anti-aggregatory, neuroprotective and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging actions (Kay, 1997;Romay et al, 2003;Vadiraja et al, 1998;Bhat and Madyastha, 2000;Chiu et al, 2006). In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity of C-PC has been demonstrated in various in vitro studies and in vivo experimental models such as mice with arthritis or sepsis (Romay et al, 1998;Remirez et al, 1999;Romay et al, 2001).…”

Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of spirulina on rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

“…(13,23–27) In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity of PC has been demonstrated in various in vitro studies and in vivo experimental models such as mice with arthritis or sepsis. (28–30) …”

Antimelanogenic effect of c-phycocyanin through modulation of tyrosinase expression by upregulation of ERK and downregulation of p38 MAPK signaling pathways

“…This phycobiliprotein also induces HeLa cell apoptosis [5,6] enhances wound healing [7], retards platelet aggregation [8,9] and acts as a photodynamic agent to eradicate cancer cells in vitro [10,11]. Moreover, animal studies revealed that Cpc possesses protective effects on tetrachloride-induced hepatocyte damage [12] and oxalate-resulted nephronal impartment [13], and oral administration of Cpc successfully relieves the pathogenicity of activated brain microglia in neurodegenerative disorders [14] and exhibits a preventative effect on viral infection [15].…”