title: Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Spirulina platensis in comparison to Dunaliella salina in acetic acid-induced rat experimental colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spirulina platensis (SP) is used as a source of protein and vitamin supplement in humans without any significant side-effects. Dunaliella salina (DS) is also regarded as one of the richest natural producers of carotenoid, thus used as a source of antioxidants to protect cells from oxidative damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study is to compare the ameliorative effect of Spirulina and Dunaliella in experimental colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spirulina and Dunaliella were investigated at the same dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for their modulatory effect against acetic-acid induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. The colonic lesion was analyzed by examining macroscopic damage, bloody diarrhea scores, colon weight/length and change in body weight of tested rats. Colon lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress markers were examined by evaluating malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Colon inflammatory markers; myeloperoxidase (MPO) and prostaglandin (PGE2) as well as proinflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6) were also studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The colonic mucosal injury, biochemical and histopathologic results suggest that both SP and DS exhibit significant modulatory effect on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, which may be due to a significant increase of antioxidant enzymes activity and significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation and inflammation markers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results showed that in comparison to Sulfasalazine, SP exhibited better therapeutic and safety profile than DS against acetic acid-induced UC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests potential benefits of SP and DS in an experimental model of colitis.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University , Ismailia , Egypt .
authors.forename: Mohamed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abdel-Daim
authors.forename: Sameh M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Farouk
authors.forename: Fedekar F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Madkour
authors.forename: Samar S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Azab
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019657:Solanaceae; D053545:Spirulina
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019342:Acetic Acid
keywords: Lipid peroxidation; myeloperoxidase; oxidative stress; protein carbonyl; tumor necrosis factor