Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research

en Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Spirulina platensis: Insights into Enzymatic Inhibition and Insulin Gene Expression Pharmacology Pharmacology مقاله پژوهشی Original Research Article Background: Diabetes mellitus remains a global health challenge associated with oxidative stress and impaired insulin signaling. Natural compounds with dual antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential are of great interest as complementary therapeutic agents. Spirulina platensis, a blue-green microalga rich in proteins, polyphenols, and phycocyanin, has been reported to exhibit diverse bioactivities. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of Spirulina platensis extract, focusing on its enzymatic inhibition and modulation of insulin gene expression in pancreatic β-cells. Methods: Ethanolic extracts of Spirulina platensis were assessed for free radical scavenging using DPPH and ABTS assays. The inhibitory activity on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) was evaluated spectrophotometrically. Cytotoxicity and insulin secretion were analyzed in RIN-5F pancreatic β-cells, followed by qPCR assessment of INS I, INS II, IRS-I, IRS-II, and IRS-III gene expression. Results: The extract displayed strong, dose-dependent antioxidant activity (p ≤ 0.05) and significant inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and PTP1B enzymes. No cytotoxicity was observed below 100 µg/mL. Treatment with 20–60 µg/mL enhanced insulin secretion and markedly upregulated insulin-related gene expression in β-cells. Conclusion: Spirulina platensis demonstrates potent in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic effects through enzymatic inhibition and stimulation of insulin gene expression. These findings highlight Spirulina as a promising natural candidate for developing safe, plant-based antidiabetic agents.   Spirulina platensis, antioxidant, antidiabetic, insulin 48 48 http://journal.zums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-6931-4&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Iraj Rashidi iraj.rashidi@kums.ac.ir 5200319475328460090399 5200319475328460090399 No Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Mona Pazhouhi mona.pazhouhi@gmail.com 5200319475328460090400 5200319475328460090400 No Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Fuzieh Khani-Hemmatabadi fuziekhani@yahoo.com 5200319475328460090401 5200319475328460090401 Yes Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Ali Ghanbari aligarak@yahoo.com 5200319475328460090402 5200319475328460090402 No Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Alireza Sohrabi-Jam alirezasohrabijam99@gmail.com 5200319475328460090403 5200319475328460090403 No Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.