Spirulina represents a potent adjunctive nutraceutical in orthopedic practice, offering regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and osteoprotective benefits relevant for the Indian population facing a rising burden of arthritis, osteoporosis, and delayed fracture healing. Spirulina’s bioactive compounds—including phycocyanin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and γ-linolenic acid (GLA)—exhibit strong anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and reducing systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, which are central to the pathology of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (Riss et al., 2007; Qureshi et al., 1996).
Additionally, Spirulina promotes osteoblast activity and helps maintain bone mineral density (BMD) through its rich content of trace elements, vitamin K1, and bioavailable calcium—supporting its use in osteoporosis prevention and postmenopausal bone loss (Huang et al., 2011). Its high protein content, coupled with growth-promoting factors like vitamin B12 and iron, aids in accelerated tissue repair and fracture healing. Emerging data also suggest that Spirulina enhances mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differentiation, which may contribute to improved outcomes in bone regeneration and cartilage repair (Ravi et al., 2022). Given its safety, systemic bioavailability, and multi-targeted action, Spirulina can be effectively integrated into orthopedic protocols for arthritis management, fracture convalescence, and bone health support, particularly in resource-limited and malnourished Indian settings.