Context: Spirulina platensis is extracted from an alga and theoretically has many good effects on the majority of the organs. There is not any published clinical trial on humans.
Objective: The evaluation of the efficacy of spiruline in chronic viral liver disease.
Design: Double blind, randomised clinical trial.
Setting: Secondary care university hospital.
Patients: 24 patients with chronic viral liver disease, treated with spiruline or placebo for one month.
Outcome measurement: Aminotransferases diminution and the modification of a general state score self-evaluated by the patient on an analogic visual scale.
Results: A modification of the aminotransferases level in the detriment of the spiruline treated group has been found (p = 0.036 for ALAT, p = 0.017 for ASAT), and not at the level of the general state score (p = 0.30).
Conclusion: Despite the little number of patients, significant results not favouring spiruline have been found.