Spirulan from blue-green algae inhibits fibrin and blood clots: its potent antithrombotic effects.

Abstract

We investigated in vitro and in vivo fibrinolytic and antithrombotic activity of spirulan and analyzed its partial biochemical properties. Spirulan, a sulfated polysaccharide from the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis, exhibits antithrombotic potency. Spirulan showed a strong fibrin zymogram lysis band corresponding to its molecular mass. It specifically cleaved Aα and Bβ, the major chains of fibrinogen. Spirulan directly decreased the activity of thrombin and factor X activated (FXa), procoagulant proteins. In vitro assays using human fibrin and mouse blood clots showed fibrinolytic and hemolytic activities of spirulan. Spirulan (2 mg/kg) showed antithrombotic effects in the ferric chloride (FeCl3 )-induced carotid arterial thrombus model and collagen and epinephrine-induced pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model. These results may be attributable to the prevention of thrombus formation and partial lysis of thrombus. Therefore, we suggest that spirulan may be a potential antithrombotic agent for thrombosis-related diseases.

• Authors: Jun-Hui Choi, Seung Kim, Sung-Jun Kim
• Journal: Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology (J Biochem Mol Toxicol) Vol. 29 Issue 5 Pg. 240-8 (May 2015) ISSN: 1099-0461 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25651404 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Fibrinolytic Agents
• Polysaccharides
• spirulan
• Fibrin
• Fibrinogen

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Coagulation (drug effects)
• Cyanobacteria (chemistry)
• Fibrin (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Fibrinogen (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Fibrinolytic Agents (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Mice
• Polysaccharides (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Thrombosis (drug therapy, pathology)