CHLORELLA -CRACKED CELL
Chlorella species of green algae comprise a suite of enduring dietary supplement ingredients that have been touted to have almost panacea-like properties.
Going Green For Allergies, Antibodies And Immunomodulation
Anthony Almada
JUNE 2003, Functional Foods Magazine
Chlorella species of green algae comprise a suite of enduring dietary supplement ingredients that have been touted to have almost panacea-like properties.
Despite its intense green colour (due to the high content of chlorophyll), and not unlike spinach, Chlorella species also harbour robust quantities of the carotenoid lutein.1 Because their growth transpires in a bioreactor rather than in a commercial agriculture field (as for marigolds, the prime biomass for lutein), pesticide and herbicide exposure is non-existent.
New research has blossomed, suggesting promising immune-modulating properties of Chlorella extracts and fractions. The polysaccharide fraction of Chlorella (Sun Chlorella brand, and two other algal species, Spirulina platensis and Aphani-zomenon flos-aquae) was shown in in vitro studies to stimulate human macrophage immune cells.2 The size of the polysaccharides extracted from the algae is large and water-soluble. Animals fed a glycoprotein (carbohydrate-linked protein) extract, derived via hot water extraction from Chlorella vulgaris, show reduced immunity decline following psychological stress, perhaps mediated by the attenuation of a stress-induced increase in glucocorticoids (corticosterone).3
Additional studies using the same C. vulgaris extract (CVE) have shown a reduction in induced casein allergies in mice, possibly by reducing the pro-inflammatory response from antibodies targeted to the casein allergen.4
Activates NK Cells
Complementary in vitro studies by a different group performed with a different Chlorella extract (species not identified) revealed an 'antihistamine' effect in rat mast cells.5 Experiments in mice orally administered CVE and infected with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterial pathogen and the cause of listeriosis, have shown activation of natural killer (NK) cell function and an increased resistance to infection.6 Clinical studies with Chlorella are very few in number. One placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study enrolled 43 subjects with fibromyalgia and reported that daily supplementation with 10g Sun Chlorella tablets and 100ml of a liquid Chlorella preparation (Wakasa Gold) produced some improvements in self-reported symptom scores, but the number of 'responders' did not significantly differ between the groups.7 Unfortunately no objective or immunological markers were measured.
A recent study that appeared in an international patent filing showed that a high molecular weight polysaccharide fraction of Chlorella pyrenoidosa selectively boosted antibody response to influenza vaccinations.8 One hundred and twenty-four subjects older than 50 years took either 200 or 400mg/day of the extract or placebo for 28 days. Only those subjects who were 55 years or younger showed a significantly greater antibody response to the vaccine. Interestingly, those on the lower dose of Chlorella extract reported a significantly greater incidence of fatigue, while those subjects on placebo and over 55 years of age reported a significantly greater incidence of abdominal pain.
Given the voluminous animal and promising clinical research, select Chlorella extracts may harbour substantial promise as immune response modifiers in 'low' and 'high' immune states.
References
1. Shi XM, et al. High-yield production of lutein by the green microalgae Chlorella protothecoides in heterotrophic fed-batch culture. Biotechnol Prog 2002;18:723-7.
2. Pugh N, et al. Isolation of three high molecular weight polysaccharide preparations with potent immunostimulatory activity from Spirulina platensis, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Planta Med 2001;67:737-42.
3. Hasegawa T, et al. Chlorella vulgaris culture supernatant (CVS) reduces psychological stress-induced apoptosis in thymocytes of mice. Int J Immunopharmacol 2000;22:877-85.
4. Hasegawa T, et al. Oral administration of hot water extracts of Chlorella vulgaris reduces IgE production against milk casein in mice. Int J Immunopharmacol 1999;21:311-23.
5. Price JA and Sanny CG. Analysis of a methanolic extract of the microalgae Chlorella. FASEB J 2001;16:A1240.
6. Queiroz MLS, et al. Effects of Chlorella vulgaris extract on cytokines production in Listeria monocytogenes infected mice. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2002;24:483-96.
7. Merchant RE, et al. Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for fibromyalgia syndrome: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Musculoskel Pain 2001;9:37-54.
8. Kralovec JA, inventor; Ocean Nutrition Canada, Ltd., assignee. Chlorella preparations exhibiting immunomodulating properties. WO 02/11746. February 14, 2002.
Anthony Almada, BSc, MSc, is the president and chief scientific officer of IMAGINutrition Inc and has been a co-investigator on more than 60 randomised controlled trials. www.imaginutrition.com
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Oral Administration of Hot Water Extracts of Chlorella vulgaris Increases Physical Stamina in Mice
Oral Administration of Hot Water Extracts of Chlorella vulgaris Increases Physical Stamina in Mice
Hyo-Jin Ana, b, Hyun-Myung Choic, Hyeung-Suk Parkd, Jae-Gab Hand, Eun-Hee Leee, Young-Sig Parkf, Jae-Young Uma, Seung-Heon Hongb, Hyung-Min Kima
aCollege of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, bDepartment of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk;cDepartment of East-West Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul;dDaesang Corp. WellLife R&D Center, Choongrang-Gu, Seoul;eDivision of Beauty Arts, Jeonbuk Science College, Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, andfFunctional Food Research Center, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Anam-Dong, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, Korea
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2006;50:380-386 (DOI: 10.1159/000094303)
Abstract
Background/Aims: A unicellular algae, Chlorella vulgaris, was used as a biological response modifier. Although hot water extracts of C. vulgaris (CVE) are thought to augment immune responses, the effect of CVE on fatigue and physical stamina has not been studied. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the effect of CVE on forced swimming test and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (Glc), and total protein (TP). CVE (0.05-0.15 g/kg/day) was orally administered to mice. Results: After 7 days, the immobility time was decreased in the 0.1- and 0.15-g/kg CVE-treated groups (179 ± 8.3 and 175 ± 2.1 s) in comparison with the control group (223 ± 5.4 s). In addition, the contents of BUN, CK, and LDH in the blood serum were decreased in the CVE-fed group. However, they had no effect on the elevation of Glc and TP level. Conclusions: The results predict a potential benefit of CVE for enhancing immune function and improving physical stamina.
http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp
?typ=fulltext&file=ANM2006050004380
Hypocholesterolemic effect of indigestible fraction of Chlorella regularis in cholesterol-fed rats
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2001 Dec;47(6):373-7.
Hypocholesterolemic effect of indigestible fraction of Chlorella regularis in cholesterol-fed rats.
- Shibata S, Oda K, Onodera-Masuoka N, Matsubara S, Kikuchi-Hayakawa H, Ishikawa F, Iwabuchi A, Sansawa H.
Yakult Central Institute for Microbiological Research, Tokyo, Japan.
The effects of Chlorella regularis powder (CP) and Chlorella regularis indigestible fraction (CIF) on serum and liver lipid concentrations and on fecal steroid excretion were estimated in rats fed diets containing 5 g/kg cholesterol and 2.5 g/kg sodium cholate. The ingestion of 12.7% CP or 5.3% CIF did not influence food intake or growth. CP and CIF decreased the levels of serum cholesterol, but had no effect on the levels of serum triacylglycerol and phospholipid. Liver cholesterol contents were lower in the CP and CIF groups than in the control group, but CP and CIF did not affect liver triacylglycerol content. CP and CIF increased the total amount of fecal neutral steroids excreted, but did not modify the total bile acid excretion. However, the soluble bile acid concentrations of reconstituted fecal water in the rats fed CP and CIF diets were lower than the control value. Moreover, CP and CIF had a high bile acid binding capacity in vitro. These results indicated that CIF had a hypocholesterolemic effect and enhanced fecal neutral steroid excretion while decreasing the soluble fecal bile acid concentration.
PMID: 11922110 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Antioxidant activity of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris cultered on special conditions
1: Boll Chim Farm. 2001 May-Jun;140(3):165-8.
Antioxidant activity of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris cultered on special conditions.
Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brasil.
The chemical composition of Chlorella vulgaris indicates that it has a high nutritional value to a wide range of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and proteins. Moreover, it contains other compounds such as n-3 and n-6 polynsaturated fatty acids, provitamins and phenolic compounds. In addition, this alga can be produced in large-scale systems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of a Chlorella cultured on three differents temperatures (15 degrees C, 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C) in 3 Klux. Chlorella cultured samples were submitted to sequential extration using as solvents: ether, methanol and water. The antioxidant activity in the extracts was measured by b-carotene/linoleic acid system, at 50 degrees C and absorbances reading at 470 nm. One control with BHT, 100 ppm was used in this determination. The total phenolic compounds was determined with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent using the spectrophotometric measured at 780 nm with catechin as standard. The phenolic acid analysis were carried out using gas chromatograph equipped with a capillary column and flame ionization detector. Non conjugated and total phenolic acids were identified on the basis of the relative retention time of their derivatives compared with the standard phenolic acids. The methanolic extract from Chlorella cultured at 30 degrees C showed higher antioxidant activity (85%) quite similar of BHT (86%). By the Rancimat test (lipidic medium) two fractions from methanolic extracts showed too higher antioxidant activity with induction times > 37.50 h at 60 degrees C and 11.5 h at 100 degrees C. The total phenolic compounds were 24.95 mg in 1 g of dry alga matter from methanolic extract and five phenolic acids were identified. The phenolic compounds salicylic, trans cinnamic, synaptic, chlorogenic, chimic and caffeic acids found in the methanolic Chlorella extract may be responsible for its higher antioxidant activity.
PMID: 11486607 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
A review of recent clinical trials of the nutritional supplement Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the treatment of fibromyalgia, hypertension, and ulcerative colitis
1: Altern Ther Health Med. 2001 May-Jun;7(3):79-91.
A review of recent clinical trials of the nutritional supplement Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the treatment of fibromyalgia, hypertension, and ulcerative colitis.
Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA. rmerchan@hsc.vcu.edu
CONTEXT: It has been suggested that the consumption of natural "whole foods" rich in macronutrients has many healthful benefits for those who otherwise ingest a normal, nonvegetarian diet. One example is dietary supplements derived from Chlorella pyrenoidosa, a unicellular fresh water green alga rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. OBJECTIVE: To find evidence of the potential of chlorella dietary supplements to relieve signs and symptoms, improve quality of life, and normalize body functions in people with chronic illnesses, specifically fibromyalgia, hypertension, and ulcerative colitis. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials. SETTING: Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia. PATIENTS: Fifty-five subjects with fibromyalgia, 33 with hypertension, and 9 with ulcerative colitis. INTERVENTION: Subjects consumed 10 g of pure chlorella in tablet form and 100 mL of a liquid containing an extract of chlorella each day for 2 or 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For fibromyalgia patients, assessments of pain and overall quality of life. For hypertensive patients, measurements of sitting diastolic blood pressure and serum lipid levels. For patients with ulcerative colitis, determination of state of disease using the Disease Activity Index. RESULTS: Daily dietary supplementation with chlorella may reduce high blood pressure, lower serum cholesterol levels, accelerate wound healing, and enhance immune functions. CONCLUSIONS: The potential of chlorella to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and normalize body functions in patients with fibromyalgia, hypertension, or ulcerative colitis suggests that larger, more comprehensive clinical trials of chlorella are warranted.
PMID: 11347287 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Chlorophyll derived from Chlorella inhibits dioxin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and accelerates dioxin excretion in rats.
Environ Health Perspect. 2001 March; 109(3): 289–294.
Research Article
Chlorophyll derived from Chlorella inhibits dioxin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and accelerates dioxin excretion in rats.
K Morita, M Ogata, and T Hasegawa
Fukuoka Institute of Health and Environmental Sciences, Dazaifu City, Japan.
Abstract
We investigated the effects of chlorophyll derived from Chlorella on gastrointestinal absorption of seven types of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and 10 types of polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) in Wistar rats. Twenty-eight rats were randomly distributed into seven groups (n = 4). After overnight food deprivation, rats were given 4 g of the basal diet or 4 g of the chlorophyll diet containing 0.01-0.5% chlorophyll one time on day 1; each diet also contained 0.2 mL PCDD and PCDF standard solutions. The amounts of fecal excretion of PCDD and PCDF congeners from days 1 to 5 in the group fed 0.01% chlorophyll were 64.8% for 1,2,3,7,8-pentaCDD, 78.6% for 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexaCDD, 73.5% for 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCDD, 58.5% for 1,2,3,7,8,9-hexaCDD, 33.3% for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaCDD, 85.7% for 1,2,3,7,8-pentaCDF, 77.3% for 2,3,4,7,8-pentaCDF, 88.6% for 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexaCDF, 78.0% for 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCDF, 62.5% for 1,2,3,7,8,9-hexaCDF, 84.1% for 2,3,4,6,7,8-hexaCDF, 41.7% for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaCDF, and 40.0% for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaCDF greater (p < 0.01) than those of the control group, respectively. The fecal excretion of PCDD and PCDF congeners was remarkably increased along with the increasing dietary chlorophyll. The amounts of PCDD and PCDF congeners in rats on day 5 administered dioxin mixtures were lower in the 0.01% chlorophyll group than in the control group, ranging from 3.5 to 50.0% for PCDD congeners and from 3.7 to 41.7% lower for PCDF congeners, except for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran. The amount of PCDD and PCDF congeners in rats was remarkably decreased along with the increasing dietary chlorophyll. These findings suggest that chlorophyll is effective for preventing dioxin absorption via foods.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi
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