Selection and potential of cholesterol-lowering indigenous probiotic: insights from in vitro and in vivo study

Atherosclerosis, a prevalent cardiovascular disorder, is ineffectively managed by statins, highlighting the need for natural bio-interventions as a promising strategy to improve cardiovascular health. Therefore, the study was designed to investigate the cholesterol-lowering ability of indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) both in vitro and in vivo emplyoing Sprague Dawley (SD) rats fed with high-cholesterol diet (HCD). Among fourteen screened LAB isolates, in- vitro analysis showed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum M10 had the maximum (53.93 ± 0.39%) cholesterol-lowering potential in cholesterol-supplemented De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe media, followed by simulated gastric conditions(23.29 ± 0.56%), and in intestinal conditions (50.43 ± 0.56%) respectively. Experimentally, it was found that simultaneous administration of indigenous probiotic L. plantarum M10 to HCD animals for 12 weeks attenuated gain in body mass (66.40%), adiposity index, serum lipid levels, glucose tolerance, liver function, oxidative stress markers, and enhanced the levels of antioxidant. Histological observations also substantiated that simultaneous supplementation of L. plantarum M10 to HCD animals ameliorated hepatic steatosis, reduced hypertrophy of adipocytes, and retained almost normal arterial morphology underscoring the strain and species specific response of probiotic. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest the multifactorial potential of L. plantarum M10 in reducing the cholesterol and alleviating the risk factors of early atherosclerosis.