c-phycocyanin

C-phycocyanin is a blue pigment-protein complex from the light-harvesting phycobiliprotein family, predominantly found in cyanobacteria such as *Spirulina platensis*[1][2][3]. It exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer activities[1][3][4][6]. Mechanistically, C-phycocyanin acts through free radical scavenging, reducing oxidative and inflammatory damage in tissues, modulating the immune system, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and potentially interacting with specific immune receptors such as scavenger receptor-A (SR-A) on tumor-associated macrophages[1][3][4][6]. It is considered safe for oral consumption with no significant toxicity observed in animal studies[3]. C-phycocyanin is also widely used as a natural blue food colorant and is being investigated for use in cancer therapy (including as a photodynamic sensitizer), liver protection, metabolic syndrome, and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and ischemic stroke[1][3][4][6][7].

Other names

phycocyanin CC-PCspirulina phycocyaninC-phycocyanin protein