Table 4.
Cyanobacteria-derived products/extracts studied in ALS disease models.
| Strain | Compound/Extract | Effect | In Vitro Assays | In Vivo Assays | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oscillatoria planktothrix sp. | LPS-like molecule VB3323 | TLR4 antagonist. Improved motor function tests. Anti-inflammatory and anti-gliosis. Neuroprotection. |
Purified microglial cells: Immunocytochemistry (CD11b). Immunoblotting (CD68). Live cell imaging (GFP) Motor neurons/glia co-culture: ELISA (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6). Motor neurons/glia coculture and purified motor neurons: Motor Neuron Viability Assay (SMI32). |
Wobbler Mice: Paw abnormality and grip strength test. Immunohistochemistry (GFAP, CD11, and TNF-α). |
[121] |
| Spirulina | Diet supplementation | Maintenance of extension reflex. Anti-inflammatory. Neuroprotection against motor neuron degeneration. |
SOD1G93A mice: Weight and measurement. Extension Reflex test. Ribonuclease Protection Assay (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). Immunohistochemistry (Fluoro-Jade, GFAP) |
[124] |
Abbreviations: IL—Interleukin. TNF-α—Tumor necrosis factor-alpha. GFAP—Glial fibrillary acidic protein. TLR4—Toll-like receptor 4. CD11—Cluster of Differentiation 11. CD68—Cluster of Differentiation 68. GFP—Green fluorescent protein. ELISA—Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.