RESUMO
Phycobiliproteins of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima have attracted attention because of their potential therapeutic antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to assess the possible antiulcerogenic activity of these phycobiliproteins (ExPhy) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. To explore the possible mechanisms of action, we examined antioxidant defense enzymes (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), as well as the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and the histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa. Intragastric administration of ExPhy (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) significantly lowered the ulcer index value compared to the ulcer control group (p < 0.05). The greatest protection was provided by the concentration of 400 mg/kg. The histological study supported the observed gastroprotective activity of ExPhy, showing a reduced inflammatory response. Moreover, the alcohol-induced decrease in stomach antioxidant enzyme activity found in the ulcer control group was prevented by ExPhy pretreatment. Furthermore, ExPhy reversed the ethanol-induced increase in lipid peroxidation. In summary, the antiulcerogenic potential of ExPhy may be due, at least in part, to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Assuntos
Antiulcerosos/farmacologia , Etanol , Mucosa Gástrica/efeitos dos fármacos , Ficobiliproteínas/farmacologia , Spirulina/química , Úlcera Gástrica/prevenção & controle , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Antiulcerosos/isolamento & purificação , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Citoproteção , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Mucosa Gástrica/metabolismo , Mucosa Gástrica/patologia , Peroxidação de Lipídeos/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Ficobiliproteínas/isolamento & purificação , Ratos Wistar , Úlcera Gástrica/induzido quimicamente , Úlcera Gástrica/metabolismo , Úlcera Gástrica/patologiaRESUMO
The marked trend and consumers growing interest in natural and healthy products have forced researches and industry to develop novel products with functional ingredients. Microalgae have been recognized as source of functional ingredients with positive health effects since these microorganisms produce polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, natural pigments, essential minerals, vitamins, enzymes and bioactive peptides. For this reason, the manuscript reviews two of the main high-value metabolites which can be obtained from microalgae: pigments and essential lipids. Therefore, the extraction and purification methods for polyunsaturated fatty acids, astaxanthin, phycoerythrin and phycocyanin are described. Also, the effect that environmental growth conditions have in the production of these metabolites is described. This review summarizes the existing methods to extract and purify such metabolites in order to develop a feasible and sustainable algae industry.
Assuntos
Fatores Biológicos/isolamento & purificação , Lipídeos/isolamento & purificação , Microalgas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Microalgas/metabolismo , Ficobiliproteínas/isolamento & purificação , Fatores Biológicos/metabolismo , Metabolismo dos Lipídeos , Ficobiliproteínas/metabolismo , Pigmentos Biológicos/isolamento & purificação , Pigmentos Biológicos/metabolismo , Xantofilas/isolamento & purificação , Xantofilas/metabolismoRESUMO
The phycobiliproteins from Rhodophyta , R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) and C-phycocyanin (C-PC), have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the effects of a Phorphyra columbina protein fraction (PF) and R-PE and C-PC on rat primary splenocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes in vitro. PF featured various protein species, including R-PE and C-PC. PF showed mitogenic effects on rat splenocytes and was nontoxic to cells except at 1 g L(-1) protein. IL-10 secretion was enhanced by PF in rat splenocytes, macrophages, and especially T-lymphocytes, whereas it was markedly diminished by R-PE and C-PC. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages was inhibited. The effect of PF on IL-10 was evoked by JNK/p38 MAPK and NF-κB-dependent pathways in macrophages and T-lymphocytes. It was concluded that PF has immunomodulatory effects on macrophages and lymphocytes that appear to be predominantly anti-inflammatory via up-regulated IL-10 production and cannot be accounted for by R-PE and C-PC.
Assuntos
Fatores Imunológicos/farmacologia , Ficobiliproteínas/farmacologia , Ficocianina/farmacologia , Ficoeritrina/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Rodófitas/química , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Proliferação de Células , Feminino , Interferon gama/metabolismo , Interleucina-10/genética , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Interleucina-1beta/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases JNK Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/análise , Macrófagos/imunologia , Mitógenos/farmacologia , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Fosforilação , Ficobiliproteínas/isolamento & purificação , Ficocianina/isolamento & purificação , Ficoeritrina/isolamento & purificação , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Alga Marinha/química , Baço/citologia , Baço/imunologia , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Regulação para Cima , Proteínas Quinases p38 Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Phycobiliproteins are coloured proteins produced by cyanobacteria, which have several applications because of their colour properties. However, there is no available information about the colour stability of phycobiliproteins from Nostoc sp. in food systems. The aim of this work was to study the colour stability of a purple-coloured phycobiliprotein-rich extract from the cyanobacterium Nostoc PCC9205 in acidic solutions and yogurt. RESULTS: Variations of pH for Nostoc PCC9205 extract have shown stability for the L* (lightness) and a* (redness) indexes in the range 1.0-7.0. The b* index (blueness), however, increased at pH values below 4.0, indicating loss of the blue colour. The Nostoc PCC9205 extract was used as colorant in yogurt (pH 4.17) stored for 60 days. Instrumental colour analysis showed no changes for the L* and a* indexes during storage, whereas the b* index changed after 20 days of storage. A multiple comparison test showed colour instability after 20 days of storage. A hedonic scale test performed on the 60th day of storage showed acceptability of the product. CONCLUSIONS: The red component of the phycobiliprotein-rich extract from Nostoc PCC9205 presented an improved stability in acidic media and yogurt compared with the blue component of this extract.