Evaluating the effects of c-phycocyanin from cyanobacterium <i>Spirulina platensis</i> as an anti-inflammatory agent on stimulated human chondrocyte cells

Inflammation is a critical defence mechanism in higher animals but uncontrolled inflammation is implicated in many diseases and can lead to chronic conditions, posing significant challenges to healthcare and the global economy. Conventional therapies often come with limitations and adverse effects, underscoring the need for safer and more effective alternatives. This study investigates the efficacy of C-Phycocyanin (C-PC), a pigment derived from <i>Spirulina platensis</i> cultivated under optimal light conditions, as an anti-inflammatory agent. This research focused on its effects on nitric oxide secretion, which supports the body’s immune system by killing pathogens, and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) gene expression as an inflammatory indicator, in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated human chondrocyte cells (C28/I2). The Methyl Thiazol Tetrazolium (MTT) assay was employed to evaluate the metabolic activity of cells and confirm the non-toxicity of C-PC. The results demonstrated that C-PC maintained 99.32% cell viability in the C28/I2 <i>in vitro</i> model after seven days. Notably, C-PC treatment prevented cell death and promoted cell proliferation, increasing the number of viable cells by 12.34% during the same period. Additionally, it significantly reduced IL-1β gene expression and nitric oxide secretion by 70.24% and 91.25%, respectively, effectively reducing levels to those observed in unstimulated conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and crystal violet staining showed that C-PC treatment restored normal morphology and protected the cells from inflammation-induced changes.