REVISITING THE ROLE OF PHYCOCYANIN IN CURRENT CLINICAL PRACTICE

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a biliprotein found in edible blue-green algae. Its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-oxidant activities has been evidenced by many in vitro and in vivo studies. Anti-inflammatory activity of C-PC demonstrated by free radical scavenging, inhibition of DNA damage, and decreased ROS. Here, the effects of C-PC on cytotoxicity and cell signaling through the apoptotic and other pathways were studied. Results indicated that anti-proliferative effects of C-PC are mediated by inactivation of BCR-ABL signaling and the downstream pathway PI3K/AKT. Phycocyanin induces apoptotic death, and Bcl-2 expression inhibits it via generation of free radicals. C-PC exerted antimelanogenic mechanisms by downregulating p38 MAPK-regulated CREB pathway activation and upregulating MAPK/ERK-dependent degradation of MITF protein. C-PC-mediated PDT (photodynamic therapy) is approved as a potential therapy for cancer.  Phycocyanin can be consumed as a dietary supplement or a food component to obtain health benefits against CVD (cardiovascular disease) and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). These results suggest that phycocyanin which had been obtained from blue green algae are potential medicaments in the treatment of various kinds of human ailments and cancers.