The neuroprotective role of cyanobacteria with focus on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential: Current status and perspectives

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 29; no. 20; p. 4799
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Flávia, Reis, Mariana, Ferreira, Leonor, Grosso, Clara, Ferraz, Ricardo, Almeida Vieira, Mónica Andreia, Vasconcelos, Vítor, Martins, Rosario
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI 10.10.2024; MDPI AG
• Subjects: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Animals; anti-inflammatory; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-inflammatory drugs; Antioxidant; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - chemistry; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Cyanobacteria; Cyanobacteria - chemistry; Cyanobacteria - metabolism; Development and progression; Humans; Huntingtons disease; Inflammation; Mutation; Nervous system diseases; Neurodegeneration; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases - drug therapy; Neurodegenerative Diseases - metabolism; Neuroprotection; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; Polysaccharides; Review; Sustainability; anti-inflammatory; neurodegenerative diseases; antioxidant; sustainability; neuroprotection; cyanobacteria
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules29204799

Neurodegenerative diseases are linked to the process of neurodegeneration. This can be caused by several mechanisms, including inflammation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Despite their high incidence, there is still no effective treatment or cure for these diseases. Cyanobacteria have been seen as a possible source for new compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, such as polysaccharides (sacran), phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin) and lipopeptides (honaucins and malyngamides), which can be interesting to combat neurodegeneration. As a promising case of success, Arthrospira (formerly Spirulina) has revealed a high potential for preventing neurodegeneration. Additionally, advantageous culture conditions and sustainable production of cyanobacteria, which are allied to the development of genetic, metabolic, and biochemical engineering, are promising. The aim of this review is to compile and highlight research on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of cyanobacteria with focus on the application as neuroprotective agents. Also, a major goal is to address essential features that brand cyanobacteria as an ecoefficient and economically viable option, linking health to sustainability.