Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 polymorphism interaction with spirulina immunomodulatory effects in healthy Korean elderly: A 16 week, double-blind randomized clinical trial

Nutritional Supplements for Skin Health-A Review of What Should Be Chosen and Why

Supplementation of micronutrients is considered to be crucial in the reinforcement of the skin's barrier. In this paper, 14 nutritional compounds commonly used in food or pharmaceutic industries were analyzed in terms of influencing skin conditions. The major objective of this paper was to provide a narrative review of the available literature regarding several chosen compounds that are currently widely recommended as supplements that aim to maintain proper and healthy skin conditions. We conducted a review of the literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until September 2023 without any other restrictions regarding the year of the publication. Ultimately, we reviewed 238 articles, including them in this review. Each of the reviewed compounds, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, curcumin, chlorella, Omega-3, biotin,Ppolypodium leucotomos, Simmondsia chinesis, gamma oryzanol, olive leaf extract, spirulina, and astaxanthin, was observed to present some possible effects with promising benefits for a skin condition, i.e., photoprotective radiation. Adding them to the diet or daily routine might have a positive influence on some skin inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Further, UV radiation protection facilitated by some supplements and their impact on human cells might be helpful during chemotherapy or in preventing melanoma development. Further research is needed because of the lack of clear consensus regarding the doses of the described compounds that could provide desirable effects on the skin.

Food and drug industry applications of microalgae Spirulina platensis: A review

Spirulina platensis is a photosynthetic, blue-green, spiral- or bulb-shaped microalgae. Due to the presence of minerals, vitamins, pigments (carotenes, phycocyanin and chlorophyll) proteins (55%-70%), carbohydrates (15%-25%), and essential fatty acids (5%-8%), it has been used as a nutritional supplement for decades. NASA successfully employed it as a nutritional supplement for astronauts on space missions then its popularity was increased. The chemical composition of Spirulina, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, phenolics, vital fatty acids, amino acids, and pigments, can be beneficial to human health when incorporated into meals. The pharmacological effects include antibacterial, anticancer, metalloprotective, immune-stimulating, and antioxidant. It modulates immunological activities and possesses anti-inflammatory qualities by preventing mast cells from releasing histamine. Due to its high quantity of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, vital amino and fatty acids, dietary minerals and vitamins, Spirulina exerts the abovementioned benefits. In this review, up-to-date and possible biological aspects, patents applied on Spirulina and heights of confirmation are addressed, and the extent of current and future exploration is also explored.

Spirulina supplementation and oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials

Studies investigating the effects of spirulina on inflammation and oxidative stress status are controversial. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impacts of spirulina supplementation on oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory markers. PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase databases and Google Scholar were searched up to 1 October 2020. Random-effect analysis was applied to perform meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses and multivariate meta-regression were performed to find heterogeneity sources. Quality assessment was conducted using Cochrane Collaboration's tool. A total of 11 studies that enrolled 465 subjects were included in our meta-analysis. Pooled results demonstrated a significant increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentrations [Standardized mean difference (SMD = 2.69 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.26, 5.11; P = .03)]; however this result changed to insignificant (SMD = 0.54 pg/mL; 95% CI: -1.29, 2.27; P > .05) when sensitivity analysis performed. A marginal decreasing effect were also found on interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD = -0.72 mg/dL; 95% CI: -1.50, 0.07; P = .073) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels (SMD = -0.65; 95% CI: -1.37, 0.08; P = .08). In addition, results of subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in IL-6 and TBARS concentrations when the baseline body mass index (BMI) of participants was lower than 25 kg/m2 . Moreover, spirulina had no significant effect on tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (SMD = -0.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.33, 0.18; P = .56) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.98, 0.14; P = .14). Spirulina consumption contributed to a significant increase in IL-2 concentrations changing to insignificant after sensitivity analysis and marginal decreasing effects on IL-6 and TBARS levels. No considerable impacts were observed on TNF-α and MDA concentrations.