Potential Protective Effects of Spirulina (<i>Spirulina platensis</i>) against In Vitro Toxicity Induced by Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead) on SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

oleh: Rosanna Mallamaci, Maria Maddalena Storelli, Alexia Barbarossa, Giovanni Messina, Anna Valenzano, Daniela Meleleo

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-12-01

Deskripsi

<i>Spirulina</i>, a filamentous microalga, is used all over the world as a nutraceutical dietary supplement. Recent studies have focused on examining its chelating activity and antioxidant properties, especially as a candidate for protection against neurotoxicity caused by heavy metals. The MTT test and LDH assay were used to examine the viability of the SH-SY5Y cells for 24, 48, and 72 h, to Cd, Hg, and Pb, individually or in combination with <i>Spirulina</i>, and the effects of necrotic cell death. In comparison to the control group, the viability of SH-SY5Y cells decreased after 24 h of exposure, with Cd being more toxic than Hg and Pb being less lethal. The effects of heavy metal toxicity on cell survival were ranked in order after 72 h under identical experimental circumstances as follows: Hg, Pb, and Cd. The viability of the cells was then tested after being exposed to <i>Spirulina</i> at doses of 5 at 50 (%<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. SH-SY5Y cells that had been treated with mixtures of heavy metals and <i>Spirulina</i> underwent the same assay. Cell viability is considerably increased by using <i>Spirulina</i> treatments at the prescribed periods and doses. Instead, the same procedure, when applied to SH-SY5Y cells, caused the release of LDH, which is consistent with the reduction in cell viability. We demonstrated for the first time, considering all the available data, that <i>Spirulina</i> 5, 25, and 50 (%<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>) enhanced the number of viable SH-SY5Y cells utilized as a model system for brain cells. Overall, the data from the present study provide a first insight into the promising positive role of Spirulina against the potentially toxic effects of metals.