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Beneficial Effects of In Vitro Reconstructed Human Gut Microbiota by Ginseng Extract Fermentation on Intestinal Cell
Margherita Finazzi1, Federica Bovio1, Matilde Forcella1
1Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) affects the aging process and increases the likelihood of several diseases. A new frontier in its prevention includes bioactive foods and natural extracts that can be introduced by the diet in combination with specific probiotics. Among the natural compounds that we can introduce by the diet, Panax ginseng extract is one of the most utilized since it contains a vast number of bioactive molecules such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides that have been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-ageing, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory activity. In this work, the ability of a P. ginseng extract in combination with a probiotic formulation was taken into consideration to evaluate its effects on the modulation of in vitro reconstructed human gut microbiota (HGM). After evaluating the growth of the individual strains on the ginseng extract, we tested the in vitro reconstructed HGM setup (probiotics, minimal core, and whole community) using 2% w/v ginseng as the only carbon and energy source. The probiotic strains reached the highest growth, while the minimal core and the whole community showed almost the same growth. Specifically, the presence of the ginseng extract favors L. plantarum and B. animalis subsp. lactis among the probiotics, while B. cellulosilyticus prevails over the other strains in the minimal core condition. In the presence of both probiotics and minimal core strains, L. plantarum, B. animalis subsp. lactis, and B. cellulosilyticus reach the highest growth values. The bacterial metabolites produced during ginseng extract fermentation in the three conditions were administered to human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29) to investigate a potential antioxidant effect. Remarkably, our results highlighted a significant reduction in the total ROS and a slightly reduction in the cytosolic superoxide anion content in HT-29 cells treated with bacterial metabolites deriving from ginseng extract fermentation by the whole community.
Insights
Panax ginseng extract combined with probiotics modulates gut microbiota and reduces oxidative stress. Bacterial metabolites from fermented ginseng by the whole community significantly lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human intestinal cells.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutraceuticals
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to aging and disease.
- Dietary bioactive foods and probiotics offer a novel approach to combat oxidative stress.
- Panax ginseng extract, rich in bioactive compounds, exhibits antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Panax ginseng extract combined with probiotics on in vitro reconstructed human gut microbiota (HGM).
- To evaluate the antioxidant potential of bacterial metabolites produced during ginseng fermentation by HGM.
Main Methods:
- In vitro fermentation of Panax ginseng extract by individual probiotic strains, minimal core HGM, and whole community HGM.
- Analysis of bacterial growth and metabolite production.
- Treatment of human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29) with fermentation metabolites to assess ROS levels.
Main Results:
- Probiotic strains showed the highest growth, followed by minimal core and whole community HGM when using ginseng extract as the sole carbon source.
- Panax ginseng extract specifically promoted the growth of L. plantarum and B. animalis subsp. lactis among probiotics, and B. cellulosilyticus in the minimal core.
- Metabolites from whole community HGM fermentation of ginseng extract significantly reduced total ROS and cytosolic superoxide anion in HT-29 cells.
Conclusions:
- Panax ginseng extract can modulate human gut microbiota composition.
- Bacterial fermentation of Panax ginseng extract yields metabolites with significant antioxidant properties.
- This combination represents a promising strategy for mitigating oxidative stress through dietary interventions.
