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...aphanin™ facts
Aphanin™
A novel COX-2 inhibitor.
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a blue-green algae growing naturally in Klamath Lake, Southern Oregon, that has been used as a dietary supplement for more than two decades. Most commonly reported benefits are a reduction of the symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatism and arthritis, as well as asthma1. APHANIN™ is an extract from AFA that contains high concentration of the active ingredient, phycocyanin. Human clinical trials with specific COX-2 inhibitors have shown
anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy that compare with traditional
treatments, without the secondary effect normally associated with NSAID.
Phycocyanin
Phycocyanin is the blue pigment present in blue-green algae. Phycocyanin was shown to have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties2. In various animal models of inflammation phycocyanin was shown to reduce or prevent inflammation.
Mechanism of action
Recently, phycocyanin was shown to be one of the most potent natural inhibitors of COX-2 (cyclooxigenase), blocking the synthesis of inflammatory eicosanoids3. Eicosanoids are natural mediators of inflammation in the body. Phycocyanin was especially shown to block the synthesis of leukotriene B4 involved in asthma4.
COX-2 Inhibitors
There are two primary cyclooxygenase enzymes: COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 helps maintain platelet and kidney function and are much needed to maintain homeostasis. COX-2 leads to the production of substances that cause acute or chronic discomfort in joints. The adverse effects of the NSAIDs come from the fact that they inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 inhibitors specifically prevent the production of inflammatory compounds without affecting the activity of COX-1. Phycocyanin was shown to be more effective than Celecoxib™ and Rofecoxib™ at specifically inhibiting COX-23.
1 Krylov et al. (2001) Retrospective Epidemiological Study using Medical Records to Determine Which Diseases are Improved by Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Supplements, submitted.
2 Romay et al. (1998) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of C-phycocyanin from blue-green algae. Inflamm Res 47(1):36-41
3 Reddy et al. (2000) Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by C-phycocyanin, a biliprotein from Spirulina platensis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 277(3):599-603
4 Romay et al. (1999) Phycocyanin extract reduces leukotriene B4 levels in arachidonic acid-induced mouse-ear inflammation test. J Pharm Pharmacol 51(5):641-642