Actualización en la farmacología de Spirulina (Arthrospira), un alimento no convencional / Update on the pharmacology of Spirulina (Arthrospira), an unconventional food
Arch. latinoam. nutr
;
52(3): 232-240, Sept. 2002.
Artigo
em Espanhol
| LILACS
| ID: lil-334514
RESUMO
Spirulina (Arthrospira), a filamentous, unicellular alga, is a cyanobacterium grown in certain countries as food for human and animal consumption. It is also used to derive additives in pharmaceuticals and foods. This alga is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients. Its main use, therefore, is as a food supplement. Over the last few years, however, it has been found to have many additional pharmacological properties. Thus, it has been experimentally proven, in vivo and in vitro that it is effective to treat certain allergies, anemia, cancer, hepatotoxicity, viral and cardiovascular diseases, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, immunodeficiency, and inflammatory processes, among others. Several of these activities are attributed to Spirulina itself or to some of its components including fatty acids omega-3 or omega-6, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, phycocyanin, phenol compounds, and a recently isolated complex, Ca-Spirulan (Ca-SP). This paper aims to update and critically review the results published over the last few years with regards to these properties. The conclusion is that even if this cyanobacterium has been one of the most extensively studied from the chemical, pharmacological and toxicological points of view, it is still necessary to expand the research in order to have more consistent data for its possible use in human beings.
Texto completo:
DisponíveL
Índice:
LILACS (Américas)
Assunto principal:
Proteínas de Bactérias
/
Suplementos Nutricionais
Limite:
Animais
/
Humanos
Idioma:
Espanhol
Revista:
Arch. latinoam. nutr
Assunto da revista:
Bioqu¡mica
/
EducaÆo Alimentar e Nutricional
/
Fenmenos Fisiol¢gicos da NutriÆo
/
Microbiologia de Alimentos
/
NUTRICAO
Ano de publicação:
2002
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
País de afiliação:
México
Instituição/País de afiliação:
Instituto Politécnico Nacional/MX
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