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Spirulina (Arthrospira maxima) has been recognized as a superfood and nutraceutical by its high nutritional value and the benefits of its consumption; it is an important source of lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is known that spirulina has positive effects on the toxicity induced by pharmaceuticals and metals. Heavy metals such as cadmium, frequently used in industrial activities, are continuously detected in water bodies and can generate adverse effects on aquatic organisms even at low concentrations. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of spirulina (Arthrospira maxima) against the toxic effects induced by cadmium in the early life stages of Xenopus laevis. Twenty Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed to five different treatments on triplicate, control, cadmium (CdCl 2 24.5 μg L−1) and three spirulina mixtures Cd + S 1 (24.5 μg L−1 CdCl 2 + 2 mg L−1 spirulina), Cd + S 2 (24.5 μg L−1 CdCl 2 + 2 mg L−1 spirulina), Cd + S 3 (24.5 μg L−1 CdCl 2 + 10 mg L−1 spirulina); after 96 h of exposure: Malformations, mortality and length were evaluated; also, after 192 h, lipid peroxidation (LPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined. All spirulina treatments decreased mortality from 34 to 50% and reduced malformations on incidence from 36 to 68%. Treatment Cd + S 3 decreased growth inhibition significantly. Spirulina treatment Cd + S 2 decreased lipidic peroxidation and antioxidant activity; these results suggest that spirulina (Arthrospira maxima) can decrease the mortality, frequency of malformations, the severity of malformations, growth inhibition, and oxidative damage induced by cadmium in Xenopus laevis embryos. [Display omitted] • CdCl2 induces malformations, growth inhibition, and oxidative damage. • Spirulina minimizes frequency and severity of malformations. • Spirulina reduces growth inhibition induced by cadmium. • Spirulina decreases oxidative damage induced by cadmium. • Spirulina has protective effects against cadmium toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]