In Vitro Evaluation of Spirulina platensis Aqueous Extract and C-Phycocyanin on Skin Cell Metabolic Activity, Wound Healing and Antioxidant Activities
- 1Faculty of Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania
- 2Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50166, Kaunas, Lithuania
Abstract
Various Spirulina species and their major pigment, Cyano-phycocyanin (C-PC), have been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, and are used in various skincare products. Spirulina platensis is rich in nutrients, proteins, and antioxidants, with therapeutic potential for skin protection and regeneration. Aqueous Spirulina extracts have gained increasing attention in recent years due to their biocompatibility; however, comparative assessment of aqueous extract and C-PC responses across non-malignant and malignant skin cells remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC on the cellular metabolic activity and wound healing of human skin cell lines—melanoma cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts—using a 24 h PrestoBlue assay and time-resolved scratch assays. The results demonstrated a concentration- and cell-type-dependent response to both preparations: at selected concentrations, S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC reduced melanoma cellular metabolic activity while increasing it in keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Notably, both S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC significantly accelerated wound closure at selected concentrations in keratinocytes and fibroblasts but not in melanoma cell cultures. Additionally, the S. platensis extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, which correlated with its phenolic and flavonoid content. In conclusion, S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC exhibit concentration- and cell-type-dependent effects on skin cell metabolic activity and scratch closure, supporting further investigation of their potential for skin-repair applications.
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BibTeX
@article{nemeiksė2026vitro,
title = {{In Vitro Evaluation of Spirulina platensis Aqueous Extract and C-Phycocyanin on Skin Cell Metabolic Activity, Wound Healing and Antioxidant Activities}},
author = {Gabija Nemeikšė and Jurga Bernatonienė and Asta Špadienė and Raimondas Benetis and Daiva Galinytė and Nijolė Savickienė and Gabrielė Balčiūnaitė-Murzienė and Aistė Jekabsone and Ramunė Morkūnienė},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31214020},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/4020},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - In Vitro Evaluation of Spirulina platensis Aqueous Extract and C-Phycocyanin on Skin Cell Metabolic Activity, Wound Healing and Antioxidant Activities
AU - Gabija Nemeikšė
AU - Jurga Bernatonienė
AU - Asta Špadienė
AU - Raimondas Benetis
AU - Daiva Galinytė
AU - Nijolė Savickienė
AU - Gabrielė Balčiūnaitė-Murzienė
AU - Aistė Jekabsone
AU - Ramunė Morkūnienė
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/08
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31214020
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/4020
AB - Various Spirulina species and their major pigment, Cyano-phycocyanin (C-PC), have been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, and are used in various skincare products. Spirulina platensis is rich in nutrients, proteins, and antioxidants, with therapeutic potential for skin protection and regeneration. Aqueous Spirulina extracts have gained increasing attention in recent years due to their biocompatibility; however, comparative assessment of aqueous extract and C-PC responses across non-malignant and malignant skin cells remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC on the cellular metabolic activity and wound healing of human skin cell lines—melanoma cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts—using a 24 h PrestoBlue assay and time-resolved scratch assays. The results demonstrated a concentration- and cell-type-dependent response to both preparations: at selected concentrations, S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC reduced melanoma cellular metabolic activity while increasing it in keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Notably, both S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC significantly accelerated wound closure at selected concentrations in keratinocytes and fibroblasts but not in melanoma cell cultures. Additionally, the S. platensis extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, which correlated with its phenolic and flavonoid content. In conclusion, S. platensis aqueous extract and C-PC exhibit concentration- and cell-type-dependent effects on skin cell metabolic activity and scratch closure, supporting further investigation of their potential for skin-repair applications.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -