The Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Partially Purified Polysaccharide Fractions of Cell-free Medium and Biomass of Spirulina platensis PCST5

 Spirulina is a cyanobacteria species containing various bioactive compounds. Spirulina is a known source of nutrients in some traditional diets. Different activities have been reported for various extracts of S. platensis.

 In this study, the polysaccharide content of culture media and biomass extract of one species of Spirulina was partially purified, and its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated.

 Spirulina platensis PCST5 was cultured in a sterile Zarouk medium at 27°C and 16/8h of light/ dark exposure cycle for 25 days. Then, the polysaccharide content of biomass and cell-free culture medium samples (BPSs and CFPSs, respectively) was partially purified. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using animal models.

 16S rRNA gene analysis confirmed that the organism was genetically similar to Spirulina platensis. The CFPSs (30 and 100 mg/kg) and BPSs (30 mg/kg) significantly reduced pain-related behaviors in rats. Similarly, all samples could significantly reduce carrageenan-induced paw inflammation volume compared with the control group. Our results suggest Spirulina's polysaccharide fractions (CFPSs and BPSs) had significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

 Since Spirulina is a readily available source of bioactive compounds, finding such potent anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive compounds can provide promising leads for novel drug development.