Background Spirulina is blue-green algae that grows mainly in tropical and subtropical lakes and is commonly used due to its nutritional features including high concentrations of protein, vitamins, mineral salts, carotenoids and antioxidants. This study aimed to investigate the anti-hypercholesterolemic potential of aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis cultivated in different colored flasks under artificial illumination; in vitro and in the diet induced hypercholesterolemic Swiss albino mice. Methods Spirulina platensis was cultivated in red, blue, green and colorless Erlenmeyer flasks containing Zarrouk’s medium under aerobic conditions, with incessant illumination by artificial cool white fluorescent with light intensity of 2500 lux (35 µmol photon m−2 s−1). Chlorophyll a and total carotenoid contents were estimated using colorimetric methods, fatty acids composition was determined by GC-Mass, in vitro and in vivo anti-cholesterol assays were used in assessing the anti-hypercholesterolemia potential of obtained Spirulina cells. Results The results showed that the highest cell dry weight, chlorophyl a, and carotenoid of S. platensis were observed in colorless flasks and that the lowest values were recorded with the green colored flasks. Also, the hot water extract of S. platensis obtained from colorless flasks at a concentration of 15 mg/mL after 60 min of incubation exhibited the greatest reduction of cholesterol level. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of S. platensis methanolic extract showed 15 bioactive compounds were identified and grouped according to their chemical structures. An experimental model of hypercholesterolemic mice had been examined for impact of S. platensis individually and combined with atorvastatin drug. All S. platensis groups resulted in a remarkable decrease in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein; and increase in high density lipoprotein. Conclusion The present study concluded that the hot aqueous extract of S. platensis developed in colorless flasks is recommended as a natural source for bioactive compounds, with anti-cholesterol and antioxidant potentialities.

中文翻译：

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螺旋藻水提取物的体外和体内降血脂特性，在人工照明下在有色烧瓶中培养

背景螺旋藻是一种蓝绿色藻类，主要生长在热带和亚热带湖泊中，因其含有高浓度的蛋白质、维生素、矿物盐、类胡萝卜素和抗氧化剂等营养特性而被广泛使用。本研究旨在探讨不同颜色培养瓶中人工光照下螺旋藻水提物的抗高胆固醇血症作用。体外和饮食中诱导的高胆固醇血症瑞士白化病小鼠。方法 螺旋藻在红、蓝、绿、无色锥形瓶中培养，在有氧条件下，用2500 lux（35 μmol photon m-2 s-1）光强的人工冷白荧光灯持续照射。使用比色法估计叶绿素 a 和总类胡萝卜素含量，脂肪酸组成通过 GC-Mass 测定，体外和体内抗胆固醇测定用于评估获得的螺旋藻细胞的抗高胆固醇血症潜力。结果结果表明，无色烧瓶中S. platensis的细胞干重、叶绿素a和类胡萝卜素最高，绿色烧瓶中记录的值最低。此外，在孵育 60 分钟后，从无色烧瓶中获得的浓度为 15 mg/mL 的 S. platensis 热水提取物的胆固醇水平降低幅度最大。S. platensis 甲醇提取物的气相色谱-质谱分析表明，根据其化学结构鉴定和分组了 15 种生物活性化合物。已经检查了高胆固醇血症小鼠的实验模型对金黄色葡萄球菌的影响。platensis 单独和与阿托伐他汀药物合用。所有 S. platensis 组均导致血浆总胆固醇、甘油三酯和低密度脂蛋白显着降低；并增加高密度脂蛋白。结论 本研究得出结论，在无色烧瓶中开发的 S. platensis 热水提取物被推荐作为具有抗胆固醇和抗氧化潜力的生物活性化合物的天然来源。