Nutritional and medical applications of spirulina

Spirulina spp. and its processed forms are used in agriculture, food industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medicine. Spirulina possesses various pharmacological effects, such as antimicrobial (including antiviral and antibacterial), anticancer, metalloprotective (prevention of heavy-metal poisoning against Cd, Pb, Fe, Hg), as well as immunostimulant and antioxidant properties due to its high levels of protein, polysaccharide, lipid, essential amino and fatty acids, dietary minerals and vitamins. This article provides an overview, presenting the fundamental biochemical makeup of the algae and then discusses its medicinal uses. Each application includes a description of the disease, how it causes damage, the specific content of Spirulina spp. for treatment, how it is used in vivo and/or in vitro, the factors involved in its therapeutic role, challenges faced, and benefits.