title: Preclinical antitoxic properties of Spirulina (Arthrospira).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spirulina (Arthrospira) exerts a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities which are mainly attributed to its antioxidant effect. However, Spirulina has also been reported (both in preclinical and in clinical scenarios) to exhibit other bioactive effects, including an antitoxic potential.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We performed a systematic review of the literature, conducted in TOXNET, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Science Direct-Scopus; all available years were included. Searching criteria included the effects of Spirulina on experimental poisonings from arsenic, cadmium, carbon tetrachloride, deltamethrin, fluoride, hexachlorocyclohexane, iron, lead, lindane, and mercury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all cases, it was established that the blue-green alga, and its isolated compounds, effectively counteracted these pollutants toxic effects on the exposed organisms. Some molecular mechanisms are proposed, although they have not been fully elucidated yet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spirulina could be a useful coadjuvant agent within clinical practice for treatment of these or other pollutants poisonings.
authors.affiliation: a Departamento de Farmacia , Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional , México DF , México and.
authors.forename: Elizdath
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez-Galero
authors.affiliation: a Departamento de Farmacia , Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional , México DF , México and.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Pastén
authors.affiliation: a Departamento de Farmacia , Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional , México DF , México and.
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perez-Juarez
authors.affiliation: a Departamento de Farmacia , Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional , México DF , México and.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fabila-Castillo
authors.affiliation: b Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte , México.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Salmeán
authors.affiliation: a Departamento de Farmacia , Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional , México DF , México and.
authors.forename: German
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chamorro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000931:Antidotes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011041:Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D053545:Spirulina / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D000975:Antioxidants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Antidotes; environmental pollutants; occupational pollutants; poisoning; therapy; toxicity