Gastro-protective potentials of Spirulina: role of vitamin B12

Abstract

Gastric ulcer is a chronic health problem world over. Spirulina is known to contain significant amounts of vitamin B12 hence Spirulina was evaluated for gastroprotective properties against gastric ulcerations. Spirulina biomass (SB) and Spirulina extract (SE) were evaluated in swim stress induced gastric ulcers in adult male albino rats. Both SB and SE inhibited 45% and 60% of ulcers formation induced by swim stress respectively. Gastroprotection has been elucidated to be due to inhibition of (a) upregulated H+, K+-ATPase activity that induced ulcer condition; (b) lipid peroxidation and (c) altered antioxidant enzyme levels. The data highlighted the importance of vitamin B12 in protecting the gut against gastric ulcerations and suggested that both Spirulina biomass and Spirulina extract contain bioavailable B12. Spirulina based product/food can be used as alternatives to gastroprotective agents that are known to cause acidity themselves upon long term use.