Effects of spirulina in arsenic poisoning in the Black Bengal goat

Some of the pharmacological properties of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) may be linked to its antioxidant potential, which mitigates oxidative stresses. In this study we examined whether spirulina mitigated arsenic-induced toxicity in the Black Bengal goat (Capra hircus). Nonpregnant female goats of approximately 12 months old were used in noninduced, nontreated control (T-1); arsenic-induced, nontreated (T-2); and arsenic-induced, spirulina-treated (T-3) groups. Groups T-2 and T-3 were given sodium arsenite orally (5 mg/kg) daily for 15 weeks. For therapeutic justification of spirulina, 1 group of arsenic-treated goats (T-3) was given spirulina at 0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg daily for another 15 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the goats were sacrificed. The arsenic-treated goats showed the highest arsenic accumulation in the kidneys, followed by the liver, lungs, skin, muscles, and heart. Histological analysis demonstrated fibrosis and lymphocyte infiltration in the liver, degeneration of tubular epithelia and hemorrhage in the kidneys, and keratin deposition in the skin. IgG- and IgM-bearing lymphocytes were unaffected in arsenic toxicosis. Spirulina treatment did not show any significant therapeutic effects on arsenic toxicosis in goat. Therefore, spirulina may not be effective in treating arsenic toxicosis in small animals such as goats.