Efficacy of Spirulina platensis on immune functions in cancer mice with systemic candidiasis

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Spirulina platensis (S.platensis) by measuring the levels of serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-|γ| in mice suffered from systemic candidiasis and breast cancer. Theaqueous extract of S. platensis was selected for this study. Balb/C female mice were inoculated withCandida albicans (C. albicans) and spontaneous mouse mammary tumor (SMMT). Five days afterCandida inoculation, the serum levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) wereassessed by Enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The animals were treated daily with S.platensis solution (800 mg/kg, 0.2 ml, orally) for 3 days before IV challenge with C. albicans, andSC challenge with SMMT and continued for 10 days. The survival rate and tumor size of understudyanimals were determined, as well. ELISA determined the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ IFN T γ-4, IL-10and IL-17 cytokines in supernatants. The results demonstrated that S. platensis decreased thesecretion of IL-4 (45.1 pg/ml) and IL-10 (208.4 pg/ml) in tumor-bearing mice infected with C.albicans, whereas the levels of IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ increased to nearly 93.4 p/ml, 316.2 pg/mland 137.1 pg/ml in this group, respectively. These findings clearly suggest that S. platensis has aremarkable immunomodulatory effect, which provides a scientific validation for the popular use ofthis natural substance, and assisted in the additional investigation of their complete mechanism ofaction.