Research on the Protective Effects of Phycocyanin Against Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis

Zhejiang University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Fibrosis

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: phycocyanin; Other: Maltodextrin (Placebo)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07271576

2025-0673

Details and patient eligibility

About

This clinical trial aims to determine whether phycocyanin, a natural protein derived from spirulina, can help treat liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in adult patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Can phycocyanin reduce blood levels of liver enzymes (such as ALT and AST) that indicate liver damage?
• Can phycocyanin improve liver stiffness as measured by ultrasound?

Researchers will compare the phycocyanin intervention group with a control group that receives a placebo (a similar-looking maltodextrin supplement without active ingredients) to explore if phycocyanin is more effective in treating liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.

Participants will:

• Take one sachet of either phycocyanin or placebo daily for at least 4 weeks.
• Attend regular clinic appointments (typically every 2-3 months) for routine monitoring of your liver condition, which will include blood and urine tests.
• Provide blood and stool samples once before the treatment and once after the 4-week treatment period.
• Undergo an ultrasound evaluation of liver stiffness.

The study will last approximately 2 years, and the personal information of all patients will be kept strictly confidential.

Enrollment: 10 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults between the ages of 18 and 75;
• Patients diagnosed with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis;
• Voluntary participation in this study and signing of an informed consent form;
• No acute diseases or significantly worsening symptoms for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of severe comorbidities;
• Allergy to phycocyanin;
• Patients with a history of severe mental illness that may affect treatment compliance.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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10 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Phycocyanin Intervention

Experimental group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: phycocyanin

Maltodextrin Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Other: Maltodextrin (Placebo)