[Clinical and experimental efficacy of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis): mechanisms of action and prospects for use as a functional food ingredient].

The prevalence of chronic diseases, including alimentary ones, characterized by chronic nonspecific inflammation and oxidative stress, dictates the need to develop and implement new domestic specialized food with immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. The proven therapeutic potential of spirulina is the basis for its inclusion in food for special dietary uses. The purpose of the study was to analyze and summarize the data characterizing the mechanisms of immune and antioxidant protection involved in the implementation of the clinical effects of spirulina. Material and methods. For the search of sources over the past 7 years, the bibliographic databases RISC, PubMed, Scopus and the non-commercial search engine Google Scholar were used. Results. The review presents research materials devoted to the study of the therapeutic potential of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and its bioactive compounds. One of the most significant effects of Spirulina is its immunomodulatory activity. Studies have shown that regular consumption of Spirulina can enhance both innate and adaptive immunity by increasing the activity of NK cells, macrophages and T lymphocytes. The immunostimulatory effect is manifested in the activation of immunoglobulin production and suppression of genes involved in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. It has been established that Spirulina polysaccharides stimulate the production of cytokines such as interferon-gamma and interleukin- 2, which are crucial for the activation of immune cells and coordination of the immune response. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Spirulina is largely determined by its high content of phycocyanins and carotenoids. Phycocyanins effectively neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppress the expression of inflammation-related genes, such as iNOS, COX-2, TNFA and IL1B, and inhibit the promoter activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase iNOS and the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB. Сonclusion. Thus, there is evidence of the direct influence of Spirulina bioactive compounds on the mechanisms of immunoregulation. In addition, sufficient data has been accumulated indicating that Spirulina possesses anticarcinogenic, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties, which confirms the possibility of its use for the prevention and dietary treatment of a number of chronic diseases.