Pharmacological Insights into Arthrospira platensis: Ethnopharmacology, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential in Smooth Muscle Disorders

Anderson Fellyp Avelino Diniz^1,2*Bárbara Cavalcanti Barros³João Marcos Araújo da Silva³Ray Ravilly Alves Arruda³Brena Freire de Oliveira Claudino³Michel Benício de Melo³José Edvaldo Cavalcanti de Sousa Filho³Francisco Fernandes Lacerda Júnior⁴Maxsyara Felismino da Silva Soares³Thais Rosa de Sousa³Paula Benvindo Ferreira³Bagnólia Araújo da Silva^2,3

• ¹Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
• ²Universidade Federal da Paraiba Centro de Ciencias da Saude, João Pessoa, Brazil
• ³Universidade Federal da Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil
• ⁴Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Word count: 231 Arthrospira platensis (Oscillatoriaceae), commonly known as Spirulina, is a widely cultivated cyanobacterium used as both a dietary supplement and a functional food. Growing evidence suggests potential therapeutic effects in smooth muscle–related disorders; however, critical evaluations of the available data remain scarce. This narrative review critically examines preclinical and clinical evidence on A. platensis and its bioactive metabolites in conditions involving smooth muscle dysfunction, highlighting methodological strengths and limitations, and outlining future research needs. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using predefined inclusion criteria, and only studies with validated taxonomy and experimental or clinical data were included. The GA-online Best Practice checklist and the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology guided the analysis. Preclinical studies consistently demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and smooth muscle–modulating effects of A. platensis extracts and metabolites, including phycocyanin and polysaccharides. Experimental models in vascular, intestinal, uterine, and airway tissues reveal improved contractility and reduced oxidative damage. Although limited, clinical evidence suggests benefits on metabolic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors. Major limitations include the absence of standardized extract characterization, variable dosing, inconsistent controls, and the scarcity of randomized clinical trials. In conclusion, A. platensis shows promising pharmacological activities relevant to smooth muscle physiology, but current evidence remains largely preclinical and constrained by methodological weaknesses. Standardized extract characterization, rigorous experimental designs, and adequately powered clinical trials are essential to confirm its therapeutic potential.