Phycocyanin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Phycocyanin (C-Phycocyanin) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 540 participants, researched for Anti-inflammatory Effects, Antioxidant & Cellular Protection, Neuroprotection and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Anti-inflammatory Effects
ModerateAntioxidant & Cellular Protection
ModerateNeuroprotection
WeakKidney & Organ Protection
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
To evaluate C-phycocyanin supplementation on inflammatory markers in healthy adults.
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate C-phycocyanin supplementation on inflammatory markers in healthy adults.
Dose
1 g C-phycocyanin daily
Participants
48 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in serum CRP (-35%) and IL-6 (-28%) compared to placebo, with no adverse effects reported.
How They Measured It
Serum CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha by ELISA
To investigate the mechanism of phycocyanin's anti-inflammatory action via COX-2 and NF-kB inhibition.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate the mechanism of phycocyanin's anti-inflammatory action via COX-2 and NF-kB inhibition.
Dose
50-200 mg/kg phycocyanin
Participants
Rodent carrageenan-paw oedema model
Duration
Acute
Results
Phycocyanin inhibited COX-2 expression and PGE2 production comparable to indomethacin, acting via NF-kB pathway suppression.
How They Measured It
COX-2 expression, PGE2 levels, NF-kB nuclear translocation
To assess phycocyanin's effect on arthritis pain and inflammatory biomarkers in OA patients.
Study Type
Pilot clinical trial
Purpose
To assess phycocyanin's effect on arthritis pain and inflammatory biomarkers in OA patients.
Dose
1.5 g phycocyanin daily
Participants
36 adults with knee osteoarthritis
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant pain reduction (VAS -32%) and improved WOMAC function scores; CRP decreased significantly vs baseline.
How They Measured It
WOMAC score, VAS pain scale, serum CRP
Antioxidant & Cellular Protection
To assess C-phycocyanin's radical scavenging activity and protection against oxidative stress in cells.
Study Type
In vitro mechanistic study
Purpose
To assess C-phycocyanin's radical scavenging activity and protection against oxidative stress in cells.
Dose
1-50 µg/mL
Participants
Human endothelial cell line (HUVEC)
Duration
24-hour incubation
Results
C-phycocyanin showed potent antioxidant activity with IC50 of 8.2 µg/mL and significantly reduced H2O2-induced cell death.
How They Measured It
DPPH, ORAC assay, lipid peroxidation inhibition
To evaluate phycocyanin's ability to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
To evaluate phycocyanin's ability to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Dose
2 g Spirulina (standardised to 350 mg phycocyanin) daily
Participants
30 male athletes
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity.
How They Measured It
Serum MDA, SOD, catalase activity post-exercise
Neuroprotection
To assess neuroprotective effects of phycocyanin in a Parkinson's disease model.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To assess neuroprotective effects of phycocyanin in a Parkinson's disease model.
Dose
100 mg/kg phycocyanin IP
Participants
Rodent MPTP-induced PD model
Duration
3 weeks
Results
Phycocyanin significantly protected dopaminergic neurons from MPTP toxicity and improved motor coordination vs untreated animals.
How They Measured It
Dopaminergic neuron count, motor behaviour tests
To investigate phycocyanin's protective effect against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity.
Study Type
In vitro mechanistic study
Purpose
To investigate phycocyanin's protective effect against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity.
Dose
5-50 µg/mL
Participants
Primary rat cortical neurons
Duration
48-hour exposure
Results
Phycocyanin dose-dependently reduced Abeta-induced neuronal death, decreased caspase-3 activation, and reduced intracellular ROS.
How They Measured It
Cell viability assay, caspase-3 activity, ROS measurement
Kidney & Organ Protection
To evaluate nephroprotective effects of phycocyanin against cisplatin-induced kidney damage.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate nephroprotective effects of phycocyanin against cisplatin-induced kidney damage.
Dose
200 mg/kg phycocyanin
Participants
Rodent model
Duration
10 days
Results
Phycocyanin significantly reduced serum creatinine and BUN, and histopathology showed preserved renal tubular architecture.
How They Measured It
Serum creatinine, BUN, kidney histopathology
To review the broad pharmacological and clinical applications of C-phycocyanin.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the broad pharmacological and clinical applications of C-phycocyanin.
Dose
Varied
Participants
Multiple studies reviewed
Duration
Review
Results
C-phycocyanin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and organ-protective properties; clinical translation supported by early human trial data.
How They Measured It
Systematic literature synthesis
To explore correlations between phycocyanin-rich spirulina consumption and inflammatory disease markers.
Study Type
Observational pilot
Purpose
To explore correlations between phycocyanin-rich spirulina consumption and inflammatory disease markers.
Dose
Dietary intake measured by FFQ
Participants
120 adults in cross-sectional study
Duration
Cross-sectional
Results
Higher phycocyanin intake from spirulina correlated with lower hs-CRP and higher superoxide dismutase activity.
How They Measured It
Dietary assessment, serum hs-CRP, antioxidant enzymes
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Phycocyanin research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Phycocyanin (C-Phycocyanin), involving 540 total participants. Research covers Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant protection, Neuroprotection and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (4 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Phycocyanin has been researched for: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant protection, Neuroprotection, Kidney protection. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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