A Prominent Superfood: Spirulina platensis | InTechOpen, Published on: 2017-02-22. Authors: Nilay Seyidoglu, Sevda Inan and Cenk Aydin

Natural additives have become one of the most alternative immune enhancer nowadays. In particular, Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) (SP) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) have been used for improving the immune system and quality of life. The aim of this study was to regulate the immune effect of S. cerevisiae and S. platensis (A. platensis) combination. Forty male New Zealand white rabbits, aged 5-6 weeks, were analysed in 4 groups: Control (basal diet); SC (added 3 g/kg diet), SP (added 5% of the diet); SC and SP (added 3 g/kg SC and 5% SP of the diet). The entire experiment lasted 90 days. Blood samples were obtained by ear venipuncture on the 90^th day. The CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte values were determined by flow cytometry and cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-4) were determined by ELISA. According to the results, there were no significant differences in the expression of cytokines, but serum CD4+/CD8+ increased in the animals fed SP and SC+SP supplemented diets (3 g/kg and 5% of the diet, respectively). It was concluded that S. platensis (A. platensis) may be used as an immune enhancer, although further studies are needed to clarify the effects of spirulina supplement on immunity.

In this study, the effects of ultrasound treatment on bioactive components and functional properties of hawthorn vinegar (Crataegus tanacetifolia) were investigated. Parameters such as total phenolic compound (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ascorbic acid (AA), DPPH radical scavenging activity and CUPRAC reducing capacity were optimised by surface response method (RSM) and 14 min duration and 61.40 % amplitude were determined as the most suitable treatment conditions. The results showed that ultrasound treatment improved the antioxidant properties of hawthorn vinegar by increasing TPC, TFC, DPPH and CUPRAC values. In addition, it was observed that hawthorn vinegar samples exhibited anticancer effects in cell culture experiments. In experiments on A549 (lung), MCF-7 (breast) and HT-29 (colon) cancer cell lines, ultrasound-treated vinegar increased apoptotic effects, suppressed cell migration and reduced necrosis rates in some cell lines. In particular, ultrasound treatment of vinegar resulted in a reduction in the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (BCL-2 and XIAP) and an enhancement in the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BAX). These findings suggest that ultrasound technology preserves and enhances the bioactive components of hawthorn vinegar, improves its anticancer properties and increases its potential for use as a functional food product.

The hawthorn fruit, a member of the Rosaceae family, is a medicinal plant with numerous therapeutic properties. It has a wide range of variants, with Crataegus tanacetifolia being the most widely recognized species in the world. The hawthorn fruit has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, immune-modulating, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study focused on improving the antioxidant activity of hawthorn vinegar via different methods. We also aimed to investigate the influence of its hepatic antioxidant abilities on health and extend the shelf life of the vinegar. In the study, the vinegar was produced from the hawthorn fruit, and thermal pasteurization and ultrasound techniques were applied. A total of 56 female adult Wistar-Albino rats were allocated into seven groups and administered hawthorn fruit vinegar via oral gavage on a daily basis. The experimental groups included rats treated with pasteurized vinegar (HVP), ultrasound-treated rats (HVU), and an untreated group that received regular vinegar (HVN) at two different dosage levels (0.5 and 1 mL/kg). The SOD, MDA, and CAT antioxidant levels were measured using the ELISA method in plasma and liver tissue samples. The total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, AST, and ALT values were quantified using commercially available kits. The levels of SOD and CAT in the plasma and liver were found to be significantly higher in the HVU1 group compared to all other groups. Furthermore, the HVU1 cohort exhibited the highest HDL value in plasma. The plasma LDL levels were comparably low in both the thermal-pasteurized and ultrasound-treated groups. There were significant expressions of both CAT and SOD in the liver tissues of the HVU groups (analyzed immunohistochemically). These results indicated that hawthorn vinegar administration with 1 mL/kg in group HVU1 could significantly enhance antioxidant capacity in the liver and, consequently, overall health. It can be suggested that the possible therapeutic effects of hawthorn vinegar may boost its antioxidant capabilities and contribute to an overall improvement in quality of life.

Background: The hawthorn fruit is an interesting medicinal plant that has several biological features, especially related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-modulating actions, and boosting general health. In this study, we aimed to clarify the immunological effects of hawthorn vinegar on immunity and general health. We also focused on three different production processes to improve the antioxidant activity of hawthorn vinegar (2) Methods: In the study, besides the traditional production of hawthorn vinegar (N), thermal pasteurization (P) and ultrasound (U) techniques were applied to vinegars. A total of 56 female adult Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into seven groups; Control, N0.5 (regular vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), N1 (regular vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw), P0.5 (pasteurized vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), P1 (pasteurized vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw), U0.5 (ultrasound treated vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), and U1 (ultrasound treated vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw). Vinegars were administered by oral gavage daily. The average weight gains, body mass index, and blood hematological parameters were measured, and the Neutrophil Lymphocyte ratio was calculated. The plasma IL-1β and TNF-α values, and MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α values of intestinal tissue, were determined. Also, the streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method was applied to determine the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in duodenum. (3) Results: There was a decreasing tendency in the average weight gains in all vinegar groups compared to the control group. In addition, there was an increase in NL ratio in all vinegar groups, although not significant. There were no statistical differences among all vinegar groups, although decreases were observed in plasma IL-1β. Also, the plasma TNF-α values showed slight increases in high-dose-of-vinegar groups (N1, P1 and U1), although not significant. In addition, the intestinal tissue IL-1β value tended to increase in groups N0.5, N1 and P0.5, while it tended to decrease in P1, U0.5 and U1. On the other hand, there were slight increases in the TNF-α values of intestinal tissue in all groups compared to control, although these were not significant. Furthermore, the intensive expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were determined in groups U0.5 and U1. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that either high doses or ultrasound applications of hawthorn vinegar have positive effects on intestinal health, boosting immunity and general health.

Introduction: There is a balance between oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity and immune response. Their roles in physiological and behavioural mechanisms are important for the maintenance of the organism’s internal equilibrium. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of the exogenous alga Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) in a stress-induced rat model, and to describe its possible mechanism of action. Material and Methods: Thirty-six adult male Sprague Dawley rats were separated into four groups: control (C), stress (S), S. platensis (Sp), and S. platensis + stress (SpS). The rats in groups Sp and SpS were fed with 1,500 mg/kg b.w./day Spirulina platensis for 28 days. All rats were exposed to prolonged light phase conditions (18 h light : 6 h dark) for 14 days. The SpS and S groups were exposed to stress by being kept isolated and in a crowded environment. Blood samples were obtained by puncturing the heart on the 28th day. The effect of stress on serum corticosterone, oxidative stress markers (TOS, TAC, PON1, OSI) and immunological parameters (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-ɣ) were tested. Also, the brain, heart, intestines (duodenum, ileum, and colon), kidney, liver, spleen, and stomach of the rats were weighed. Results: Serum corticosterone levels were higher in the S group than in the C group, and significantly lower in the SpS group than in the S group. Mean total antioxidant capacity were lower in the S group than in the C group, and Spirulina reversed this change. Although not significantly different, IL-2 was lower in the S group than in the C group. However, in the SpS group, IL-2 increased due to Spirulina platensis mitigating effects of stress. Conclusion: Male rats fed a diet with Spirulina platensis could experience significantly milder physiological changes during stress, although stress patterns may be different. Exogenous antioxidant supplements merit further investigation in animals and humans where the endogenous defence mechanism against stress may not be sufficient.