Spirulina platensis as a sustainable nutraceutical to mitigate Candida albicans–induced renal and reproductive dysfunction in diabetic female rats through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal mechanisms

Abstract

Introduction Candida albicans commonly colonizes the female reproductive tract and may lead to systemic complications, particularly under immunocompromised conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Natural bioactive compounds with antifungal and protective properties are increasingly investigated as adjunct therapies. This study evaluated the protective potential of Spirulina platensis (SP) against C. albicans –induced renal and reproductive damage in diabetic female rats. Methods High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to characterize the phenolic and flavonoid profile of SP. The antifungal activity of SP was assessed in vitro against clinical C. albicans isolates. For the in vivo study, diabetes was induced in female rats, followed by C. albicans infection. Animals were orally treated with SP (75 or 150 mg/kg) for 28 days. Kidney function markers (urea, uric acid, creatinine), serum electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺), oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters (MDA, NO, protein carbonyls, total antioxidant capacity), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ), and histopathological changes in kidney, uterus, and ovary tissues (including ovarian NF-κB immunohistochemical expression) were evaluated. Results HPLC analysis confirmed that SP is rich in phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, protocatechuic acids) and flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol). SP demonstrated significant in vitro antifungal activity against C. albicans . In diabetic infected rats, SP treatment significantly improved renal function and electrolyte balance, reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and ameliorated histopathological alterations in renal and reproductive tissues. Additionally, SP markedly suppressed ovarian NF-κB expression compared with infected untreated controls. Discussion The findings indicate that Spirulina platensis exerts potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal effects, contributing to protection against C. albicans –induced renal and reproductive injury in diabetic female rats. SP may represent a promising nutraceutical adjunct to conventional antifungal therapy for managing Candida-associated complications.