In Vitro Studies on Therapeutic Potential of Probiotic Yeasts Isolated from Various Sources

The present study investigates the therapeutic properties of probiotic yeasts viz. Yarrowia lipolytica VIT-MN01, Kluyveromyces lactis VIT-MN02, Lipomyces starkeyi VIT-MN03, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera VIT-MN04 and Brettanomyces custersianus VIT-MN05. The antimutagenic activity of probiotic yeasts against the mutagens viz. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and Sodium azide (SA) was tested. S. fibuligera VIT-MN04 showed highest antimutagenicity (75%). Binding ability on the mutagen acridine orange (AO) was tested and L. starkeyi VIT-MN03 was able to bind AO effectively (88%). The probiotic yeasts were treated with the genotoxins viz. 4-Nitroquinoline 1-Oxide (NQO) and Methylnitronitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The prominent changes in UV shift confirmed the reduction in genotoxic activity of S. fibuligera VIT-MN04 and L. starkeyi VIT-MN03, respectively. Significant viability of probiotic yeasts was noted after being exposed to mutagens and genotoxins. The adhesion capacity and anticancer activity were also assessed using Caco-2 and IEC-6 cell lines. Adhesion ability was found to be more in IEC-6 cells and remarkable antiproliferative activity was noted in Caco-2 cells compared to normal cells. Further, antagonistic activity of probiotic yeasts was investigated against S. typhimurium which was found to be more in S. fibuligera VIT-MN04 and L. starkeyi VIT-MN03. The inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity confirmed the antidiabetic activity of probiotic yeasts. Antioxidant activity was also tested using standard assays. Therefore, based on the results, it can be concluded that probiotic yeasts can serve as potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of colon cancer, type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal infections.