Spirulina supplementation and its effects on inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and Meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the effects of Spirulina as a supplementary treatment for inflammatory conditions amidst ongoing debates regarding its benefits for healthy individuals and patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 22 studies with 5385 participants, utilizing databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed-Medline, and Web of Science, covering the period from 1995 to August 2024. The meta-analysis demonstrated that Spirulina supplementation significantly reduced inflammatory biomarkers, including CRP levels (SMD: -0.972 mg/dl), interleukin-6 (SMD: -0.532), and TNF-alpha (SMD: -0.579 mg/dl). Furthermore, oxidative stress biomarkers showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (SMD: -0.929) and an increase in total antioxidant capacity (SMD: 1.086). The findings strongly advocate for Spirulina as a valuable dietary supplement for both healthy individuals and patients, aiming to lower inflammatory markers and enhance antioxidant capacity.