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Phycocyanobilin, an orally active antioxidative agent, is an effective scavenger for various reactive oxygen species. Phycocyanobilin can be used for the research of Alzheimer’s disease[1][2][3].

This linear tetrapyrrole (FW = 559.64 g/mol) is a prosthetic group of blue, highly fluorescent photoreceptor pigments (phycocyanins) found in certain algae. It is soluble in water and polar organic solvents. Phycocyanins, found in Cyanophyta, are proteins, which typically contain three molecules of covalently bound phycocyanobilin per subunit. One molecule of phycocyanobilin is bound per molecule of allophycocyanin, found in Cyanophyta and Rhodophyta. Phycocyanins and their chromophore phycocyanobilin are peroxy radical scavengers and inhibits ONOO–- mediated biological effects. Target(s): cyclooxygenase-2, inhibited by C-phycocyanin and poorly by phycocyanobilin.

[1] Hirata T, et al. Antioxidant activities of phycocyanobilin prepared from Spirulina platensis. Journal of Applied Phycology, 2000, 12: 435-439.
[2] Matamoros BP, et al. Nutraceutical and therapeutic potential of Phycocyanobilin for treating Alzheimer's disease. J Biosci. 2021;46:42. PMID:34047285
[3] Zheng J, et al. Phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin from Spirulina platensis protect against diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting oxidative stress. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2013 Jan 15;304(2):R110-20. DOI:10.1152/ajpregu.00648.2011