Thailand Doctors Discover Powerful Bacteria and Cancer Fighting Properties in Spirulina Extract
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 06, 2025 2 weeks, 3 days, 21 hours, 36 minutes ago
A team of
Thailand Doctors and researchers from Chiang Mai University have made a breakthrough discovery involving a humble blue-green algae known as Arthrospira platensis, commonly called Spirulina. The study, led by researchers from the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science and other affiliated programs at Chiang Mai University, reveals that extracts of this natural organism can fight dangerous skin bacteria and even deadly skin cancer cells.
In this Medical News report, the researchers focused on testing two types of extracts—one made using ethanol and the other with methanol. These extracts were examined for three key biological activities: antioxidant power, antibacterial strength, and anticancer capabilities. What they found could change the way skin infections and melanoma are treated in the future using natural compounds derived from Spirulina.
A Natural Superfood with Healing Power
Spirulina has long been praised for its nutritional value. Rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and pigments, this microalgae is already labeled as a "superfood" by the World Health Organization and is even used by NASA as a dietary supplement for astronauts. But now,
Thailand Doctors have uncovered that this plant-like organism also contains powerful compounds that can destroy harmful skin bacteria, prevent biofilm formation, and even trigger cancer cell death.
Their research showed that the ethanolic extract (alcohol-based) of Spirulina had higher levels of antioxidants compared to the methanolic version. Using established scientific assays like DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, the team confirmed the strong antioxidant ability of the ethanol extract, which included high amounts of gallic acid and quercetin—natural compounds known for neutralizing harmful free radicals.
Kills Harmful Skin Bacteria and Breaks Down Biofilms
The antibacterial tests focused on common skin pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Cutibacterium acnes, Micrococcus luteus, and even drug-resistant MRSA. The ethanolic extract showed significant antibacterial effects against most of these bacteria, especially against S. aureus and C. acnes. While MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant in the agar tests, the broth dilution method showed that even these could be inhibited with higher concentrations.
Most impressively, the Spirulina extract could prevent the formation of biofilms—tough layers of bacteria that stick to surfaces and are very hard to kill. The ethanol extract reduced biofilm formation by up to 99.53% and could eradicate existing biofilms almost completely, with rates up to 99.77%. This is a significant finding since biofilms contribute to chronic infections and antibiotic resistance.
Attacks Skin Cancer Cells and Triggers Apoptosis
The team also tested the extracts on human melanoma skin cancer cells (A375). They discovered that both types of extracts could kill cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The ethanolic extract had a slightly stronger effect, with an IC50 value of 4.42 mg/mL (meaning it killed half the cancer cells at this concentration). However, the methanolic extract caused a higher rate of programmed cancer cell death, also known as apoptosis.
Further analysis showed that the extracts increased the expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 genes—these g
enes are central to the body's natural mechanism for removing damaged or cancerous cells. This dual-pathway activation (both extrinsic and intrinsic) means that the Spirulina extract can trigger cancer cells to self-destruct safely and efficiently.
What This Means for the Future of Skincare and Cancer Treatment
This study confirms that Arthrospira platensis is not just a nutritional supplement but also a potential therapeutic agent. Its extracts are rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds that offer strong antioxidant properties, protect skin cells from oxidative damage, fight harmful bacteria, destroy biofilms, and even target and kill cancerous cells. Importantly, these extracts showed minimal side effects on normal human cells in previous studies.
As
Thailand Doctors have shown, nature still holds many answers to modern medical problems. With rising antibiotic resistance and the side effects of conventional cancer treatments, compounds like those found in Spirulina may provide safer, natural alternatives.
In conclusion, the research clearly shows that both ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Arthrospira platensis possess potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. They inhibit harmful bacteria and biofilm formation on the skin while also promoting apoptosis in skin cancer cells through both major biological pathways. These extracts may one day be developed into topical creams, oral supplements, or pharmaceutical agents for skin infections and cancer. However, further clinical studies are needed before it can be widely used in medical treatments.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biology.
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/5/502
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