Spirulina supplements: an approach moderating aspirin persuaded histological and ultra-structural alterations in albino rats gastric mucosa

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most used drugs. The pathogenesis
of aspirin-induced gastric ulceration includes blocking the activities of the cyclooxygenase enzymes
(COX-1 and COX-2) leading to reduced mucus and bicarbonate secretion. Spirulina contains many
functional bioactive ingredients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, including phenolic phytochemicals and phycobiliprotein C-phycocyanin. To investigate the possible gastroprotective role of spirulina against aspirin-induced gastric mucosal insults. Forty adult male albino rats
were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Group I (Control) and group II (Spirulina
control) were given spirulina for 3 days, group III (Ulcer model) were given single dose of acetyl
salicylic acid to induce ulcer and group IV (Treatment) were given spirulina for 3 days after induction
of ulcer formation. Animals were sacrificed, stomachs were collected and processed for examination
of light and scanning electron microscope histopathological examination. Statistical difference
mucosal mucin area percentage among groups was determined and data were analyzed.
Histological examination of the H&E-stained and combined Alcian-blue-PAS-stained sections of
Group III rats illustrated severe destruction of the mucosal architecture and reduction of the mucin
surface area while those examined for group IV illustrated minor affection of the gastric mucosa and
mucin protective layer. Oxidant antioxidant markers: Nitric oxide (NO) is elevated, Glutathione
(GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are reduced in aspirin treated group. The use of Spirulina
restores the normal balance between the oxidant antioxidant system