绿藻---英文文献.pdfVIP

JournalofApplied Phycology 5: 235-241, 1993. O 1993 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printedin Belgium. 235 Current knowledge on potential health benefits of Spirulina Amha Belay 1,Yoshimichi Ota 1, Kazuyuki Miyakawa 2 Hidenori Shimamatsu2 EarthriseFarms, P.O. Box 2 70 Calipatria,CA 92233, USA 2 DainipponInk ChemicalsInc., Biochemical Division 7-20, Nihonbashi 3-Chome, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo 103 Japan Key words: anti-virus, hyperlipidemia, immune system, nephrotoxicity, radioprotection, Spirulina Abstract Spirulina is a microscopic filamentous alga that is rich in proteins, vitamins, essential amino acids, minerals and essential fatty acids like y-linolenic acid (GLA). It is produced commercially and sold as a food supplement in health food stores around the world. Up to very recently, the interest in Spirulina was mainly in its nutritive value. Currently, however, numerous people are looking into the possible therapeutic effects of Spirulina. Many pre-clinical studies and a few clinical studies suggest several therapeutic effects ranging from reduction of cholesterol and cancer to enhancing the immune system, increasing intestinal lactobacilli, reducing nephrotoxicity by heavy metals and drugs and radiation pro- tection. This paper presents a critical review of some published and unpublished data on therapeutic effects of Spirulina. Introduction Early interest in Spirulina focussed mainly on its potential as a source of protein and vitamins. Spirulina is an unbranched, helicoidal,