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Dysmenorrhea is one of the most usual causes of pelvic pain. It has
negative effects on woman’s quality of life and sometimes leads to daily
activity restriction. Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain without pelvic
pathology. Abnormal bleeding, noncyclic pain, alteration in pain severity and
duration, and abnormal pelvic examination findings propose secondary
dysmenorrhea and need more assessment. Treatment options for primary
dysmenorrhea are consist of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal contraceptives.
Due to side effects related to such treatments, women seek complementary and
alternative medicines. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the reasons for
using chlorella to improve the side effects of primary dysmenorrhea.
Keywords: Primary
dysmenorrhea, Chlorella, Systemic symptoms, Inflammation
INTRODUCTION
Chlorella is a kind of
unicellular green algae including high concentration of protein, lipid,
vitamins, antioxidants such as lutein, α and β-carotene, ascorbic acid,
tocopherol and minerals [10-12]. Chlorella has the capacity to wipe off free
radicals and has advantageous impacts on regulating the physiological functions
of body in malignant diseases resulted from stress [13,14]. In addition,
chlorella can ameliorate lipid profile and reduce lipid peroxidation [15,16].
It has been demonstrated that chlorella decreased pro-inflammatory mediators
and cytokines while preventing vascular disorders related to chronic
inflammation [17,18].
This review aims to provide the
reasons for using chlorella to improve the side effects of dysmenorrhea.
MECHANISMS OF ACTION
In
the only clinical trial with the aim of evaluating the impacts of chlorella
supplementation (1500 mg/day, for 8 weeks) on the systemic symptoms and serum
concentrations of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in
women (aged 18-35 years) with primary
dysmenorrhea, results of the
intervention showed significant reduction in PGE2, PGF2α, hs-CRP and MDA, as
well as systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea (headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting,
and lack of energy) in chlorella supplemented group, compared to placebo group
[19]. Hence, this study demonstrates that chlorella could decrease inflammation
and lipid peroxidation. In agreement with the results of this study, it has
been demonstrated that violaxanthin extracted from microalga chlorella
ellipsoidea could suppress production of PGE2 and decreases COX-2 mRNA
expression [20]. Chlorella vulgaris extract could inhibit pro-inflammatory
mediators and prostaglandin E2 production [17]. It has been shown that COX-2
leads to the production of large concentrations of inflammatory mediators such
as prostaglandins. PGE2 is a mediator with some apparently unrelated impacts
that leads to swelling, pain, and stiffness. Thus, inhibition of PGE2 may
consider as an advantageous approach for improving the treatment.
The results of
different studies indicated that chlorella supplementation could decrease serum
hs-CRP and MDA concentrations in non-alcoholic fatty liver patients [18,21].
The alcoholic extract of chlorella vulgaris reduced lipid peroxidation
biomarkers in naphthalene exposed rats [22]. In another investigation,
chlorella supplementation in hypercholestrolemic rats decreased inflammatory
biomarkers and oxidative damage [23]. It was shown that in chlorella vulgaris
fed mice the oxidant capacity ameliorated and plasma and liver concentration of
MDA was reduced [24,25].
Chlorella contains
a lot of amounts of carotenoids, chlorophyll, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and
vitamin D; it has the complete vitamin B-complex, and is a rich source of
antioxidant minerals which are important for the functions of biological
systems within the body. Chlorella vulgaris has the capacity to decrease lipid
peroxidation and can be due to the free radical scavenging effects of
polyphenols and carotenoids available in this microalga. Carotenoids
particularly α and β-carotene, clean radicals and cease the peroxidation
process [26-28]. Vitamin E can hinder arachidonic acid oxidation and prostaglandins
production. It has been reported that vitamin E decreased the severity and
duration of primary dysmenorrhea [29,30].
CONCLUSION
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Mol Cell Biochem 303: 39-44.
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Kang JS, Om AS (2011) Protective effect of Chlorella vulgaris against
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