C-Phycocyanin, a phycobiliprotein pigment found in Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), has been investigated in several preclinical studies for its potential to support hematopoiesis and ameliorate anemia. The scientific rationale is largely based on animal studies, which have shown that C-Phycocyanin can stimulate erythropoiesis (production of red blood cells) and may increase hemoglobin concentration. For instance, a 2001 study published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition demonstrated that administration of C-Phycocyanin to phenylhydrazine-induced anemic rats resulted in improved hemoglobin levels and red blood cell counts compared to controls. Mechanistically, C-Phycocyanin is thought to exert antioxidant effects and modulate the expression of erythropoietic growth factors.

However, evidence in humans is limited. Most clinical studies on Spirulina as a whole (not purified C-Phycocyanin) have reported improvements in anemia markers, particularly among populations with nutritional deficiencies, but these results cannot be attributed solely to C-Phycocyanin. There are no large-scale, high-quality clinical trials evaluating purified C-Phycocyanin for the treatment of anemia in humans. Therefore, the evidence is preliminary and warrants further investigation before it can be considered a validated intervention for anemia in clinical practice.