Spirulina (Arthrospira maxima) mitigates the toxicity induced by a mixture of metal and NSAID in Xenopus laevis

Cadmium (Cd) is often detected in the environment due to its wide use in industry; also, NSAIDs are one of the most consumed pharmaceuticals, particularly diclofenac (DCF). Several studies have reported the presence of both contaminants in water bodies at concentrations ranging from ng L−1 to μg L−1; in addition, they have shown that they can induce oxidative stress in aquatic species and disturb signal transduction, cell proliferation, and intercellular communication, which could lead to teratogenesis. Spirulina has been consumed as a dietary supplement; its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and nutritional properties are well documented. This work aimed to evaluate if Spirulina reduces the damage induced by Cd and DCF mixture in Xenopus laevis at early life stages. FETAX assay was carried out: 20 fertilized oocytes were exposed to seven different treatments on triplicate, control, Cd (24.5 μg L−1), DCF (149 μg L−1), Cd + DCF, Cd+DCF+Spirulina (2 mg L−1), Cd+DCF+Spirulina (4 mg L−1), Cd+DCF+Spirulina (10 mg L−1), malformations, mortality, and growth were evaluated after 96 h, also lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were determined after 192 h. Cd increased DCF mortality, Cd and DCF mixture increased the incidence of malformations as well as oxidative damage; on the other hand, the results obtained show that Spirulina can be used to reduce the damage caused by the mixture of Cd and DCF since it promotes growth, reduce mortality, malformations, and oxidative stress in X. laevis [Display omitted] •Cd and DCF mixture generate damage through oxidative stress in Xenopus laevis.•Spirulina reduces oxidative stress induced by the mixture of Cd and DCF.•Spirulina helps improve Xenopus larvae's growth exposed to Cd and DCF.•Spirulina reduces damage induced by relevant concentrations of Cd and DCF.