International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

ISSN 2326-7267

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production of phenolic compounds from Spirulina maxima microalgae and its protective effects in vitro toward hepatotoxicity model

Hanaa H. Abd El-Baky1*, Farouk K. El Baz1 and Gamal S. El-Baroty2

1Plant Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt.

Accepted 20 March, 2011

Abstract

This study illustrates the process of enhancing phenolics synthesis in Spirulina maxima grown in Zarrouk’s medium supplemented with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and or phenylalanine (L-PA), attaining highest production obtained in medium containing 3.77 g.L-1 NaNO3 and 100 mgL -1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate, chlorogenate, cinnamate, pinostrobate and p-OH- benzoates. The protective action of Spirulina phenolic compounds ( SPC) against CCl4-induced in vitro hepato-toxicity symptoms like microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation was studied. SPC exhibited antioxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging with IC50 values ranging from 23.22 to 35.62 mgmL-1 and inhibit CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation in hepato- microsoms model, in dose-depended manner. Their protective potential was comparable to that of standard phenolic antioxidants such as BHT, BHA and – tocopherol (IC50 values ranged from 13.22 to 23.62 mgmL-1).

Key words: Spirulina maxima, antioxidant activity, carbon tetrachloride, hepatoprotective effects.