Effect of Spirulina platensis powder on metabolic syndrome in sprague dawley rats

In Benin folk medicine, Spirulina platensis a blue–green alga has a reputation to treat diabetes. The present study was investigated to evaluate the effect of Spirulina platensis powder on some markers of metabolic syndrome (hyperlipidemia, glucose intolerance, obesity and oxidative stress). The syndrome was induced by high fructose and fat diet in Sprague Dawley rat. The rats received fructose and fat diet (10ml/kg per day) during 29 days. At 15th day to 29th day 30 minutes before, the first group (high-fructose diet control) received distilled water, the second and third groups (treated groups) received respectively Spirulina platensis powderat 75 and 150 mg/kg per day. The normal control group received only distilled water during the experiment. After 29 days of experiment, fasting blood glucose, body weight gain, intra abdominal grease and serum triglycerides (TG) in treated groups were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of high-fructose diet control group. In the oral glucose tolerance test, rats in treated group had a significant (p < 0.001) reduction of blood glucose level during 180 minutes after glucose load, indicating that Spirulina platensis powder improved glucose tolerance. S. platensis inhibits also hemolysis of erythrocytes induced by AAPH. In conclusion, S. platensis powder prevent metabolic syndrome induced by high fructose and fat diet. These results justify the use of the plant in the treatment of diabetes in Benin.Keywords: Spirulina platensis, metabolic syndrome, fructose, diabetes, fat diet