Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BXM2 Treatment Alleviates Disorders Induced by a High-Fat Diet in Mice by Improving Intestinal Health and Modulating the Gut Microbiota

Objective:Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BXM2 is a novel probiotic derived from fermented passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) juice that possesses promising probiotic potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of L. plantarum BXM2 supplementation in mice. Methods:L. plantarum BXM2 was orally administered to male SPF C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to evaluate its anti-obesity potential, as well as the effects on intestinal health and microbiota. Results: Our results demonstrated that L. plantarum BXM2 significantly decreased the perirenal adipose index and improved intestinal health by increasing the ratio of villus height to crypt depth and the goblet cell number in the intestine. Furthermore, L. plantarum BXM2 treatment exhibited regulatory effects on intestinal chronic inflammation in mice by normalizing the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6. Of note, L. plantarum BXM2 reversed HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, as evidenced by the decreased ratio of Bacillota (Firmicutes) to Bacteroidota, the decreased abundance of obesity-related genera Dubosiella, Romboutsia, and Lachnospiraceae_UCG006, and the increased abundance of beneficial genera Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. Conclusions: Our findings support the beneficial role of L. plantarum BXM2 supplementation in interventions targeting gut dysbiosis and obesity-related disorders.