Anti-Inflammatory Effects from Spirulina Could Have Healing Properties

Spirulina has been circulated as a beverage option in health food circuits, but could there be real merit behind the sale? Well it turns out spirulina has a cocktail of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties such as phenolics, phycocyanins, and polysaccharides.

Phenolic acid has antioxidant properties which function by modulating signaling pathways and stimulating enzymes that protect against free radicals that can induce oxidative stress. Phenolic acids also act as a defense, inhibiting ROS producing enzymes which cause inflammation and produce oxidative stress. Phenolic acids also inhibit key enzymes that contribute to conversion of glucose, having a positive effect on insulin receptors in digestion of sugar. Along with these benefits, phenolic acid can prevent formation of genotoxic molecules and the change in genes from chemical or physical sources, which includes inhibiting tumor growth.

Phycocyanins are essential proteins that can block tumor cell growth, inhibit tumor cell cycles, and contribute to apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells. Apoptosis kills tumor cells and autophagy involves the process of removing damaged parts of a cell and induces cellular repair. Phycocyanins also modulate ROS producing enzymes which stop inflammation, neurodegeneration, and the encouragement of inflammatory disease.

Polysaccharides in spirulina can improve intestinal barrier function and support beneficial bacteria in the gut. And these compounds can massively reduce inflammation too!

Spirulina has a composition of minerals (potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc), vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, C, D and E), amino acids, lipids, pigments (carotenes, phycocyanin and chlorophyll) proteins, carbohydrates, and 5% - 8% of essential fatty acids. These vital nutrients were even scouted by NASA, being used to provide nutrients for astronauts for decades so they remained healthy and alert during missions!

Surely a great time to perk up before navigating the stars!

Compounds in spirulina have been shown to protect our immune system, promote good bacteria, provide antioxidants, provide anti-inflammatory benefits, and contain anticancer properties. Concerning anti-inflammatory components, spirulina specifically modulates mast cells from releasing histamine, which can prevent inflammation occurring in the body.

Spirulina’s anti-inflammatory effects may help treat rheumatoid arthritis and prevent bone erosion from occurring. In a mice model it was found that spirulina activated antioxidant enzymes in mice which further improved immune homeostasis and promoted bone recovery in mice with arthritis!

Anti-inflammatory effects of spirulina may also prevent hypertension, as some have speculated! Overall spirulina seems to be a candidate to boost heart health! With an addition of selenium, properties in spirulina can decrease myocarditis, an inflammation of the cardiac muscles.  

A 2025 study also found that phycocyanin, a compound in spirulina, can reduce expressions from IL-6 and Caspase which are cytokines and enzymes linked to production of inflammation. The phycocyanin compound could even be linked to cell apoptosis and anticancer properties! This same 2025 study, which researched how selenium and spirulina affect cells, found this duo modulates Bax expression. This process is directly linked to apoptosis and reduction in tumor cell growth. In a 2025 study, ethanolic and methanolic were even extracted from spirulina and used to test if there was a reduction in skin cancer cellular growth, ultimately proving that death of skin cancer cells did occur.

Even for wound healing spirulina shows promise. In a 2025 study spirulina was used for patients receiving dental surgery and patients showed a reduction in plaque, bleeding, physical discomfort, and gingival redness by week 4 of the treatment.

In fact, spirulina seems to pair well with many compounds to promote healthy functions in the body! When based as a carrier for silymarin in a 2025 study with mice, spirulina decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels and showed potential to repair damage of alcoholic liver disease.

For brain health a 2021 study found that spirulina may help in to reduce mental fatigue by protecting the vascular wall of brain vessels from damage and regulating pressure. And spirulina was found to enhance motor, language, and cognitive skills in children when they were provided the nutrient.

Spirulina is also proving it's good for the gut! Spirulina has microbial-modulating activities which could improve the growth of healthy intestinal microbiota! Microbiota are communities of microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses that can help our gut health and overall digestion.

So drink up what's good for you!