Cardioprotective effect of spirulina on cafeteria diet-induced cardiac injury in silico and in vivo study.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, primarily due to its effects on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of spirulina (SP) on cafeteria diet (CD)-induced myocardial oxidative stress and inflammation using biochemical, histological, and in silico molecular docking approaches. This study integrates in vivo biochemical and histological analyses with in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiling of spirulina (SP)-derived phenolic compounds (resorcinol, chlorogenic acid, catechin, syringic acid, sinapic acid, and quercetin) to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of SP. Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group), and treatments were administered orally once daily for 8 weeks as follows: standard diet (SD) (360 g day⁻¹), CD (360 g day⁻¹), CD + SP (500 mg kg-1 body weight), and SP alone (500 mg kg-1 body weight). Body and heart weight, as well as food intake, were recorded. Myocardial oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)), and histological changes were analyzed. Molecular docking and ADMET prediction were performed to explore the interactions between SP-derived phenolic compounds and key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD).

RESULTS

Rats fed with CD exhibited significant weight gain (21.38%), dyslipidemia, increased myocardial oxidative stress, elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) (1.57 U L), and reduced antioxidant defenses. Inflammatory cytokines were markedly upregulated, and histological analysis revealed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. Spirulina supplementation effectively ameliorated these alterations by improving weight gain (9.85%), lipid profiles, attenuating oxidative stress, reducing γ-GT (0.83 U L), and downregulating inflammatory responses (P < 0.05). Histological observations confirmed the preservation of myocardial architecture. In silico analysis further demonstrated strong binding affinities between SP phenolic compounds and SOD, and ADMET profiling highlighted their potential - particularly in the cases of catechin, chlorogenic acid, and syringic acid - as safe and effective modulators.

CONCLUSION

Spirulina exerts significant cardioprotective effects against CD-induced myocardial injury by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, indicating its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for obesity-related cardiovascular disorders. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.