Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal disorder, placing a lifelong medical burden on millions of individuals globally. As commensal microorganisms residing in the human intestinal tract, probiotics are capable of safeguarding the intestinal barrier, suppressing inflammatory reactions, and sustaining the balance of intestinal microbiota, with no accompanying adverse effects. Accordingly, probiotics have gained attention as a safe therapeutic approach and a major research focus for IBD treatment. In this study, the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis ProSci-246 (ProSci-246) were investigated in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Three groups of mice (n = 8 per group) were used: normal control (NC group), DSS-induced colitis mice without bacterial administration (DSS group), and DSS-induced colitis mice gavaged with live ProSci-246 bacterial suspension (ProSci-246 group). ProSci-246 significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, as shown by significantly higher 30-day body weight, colon length-to-weight ratio, and serum anti-inflammatory factor levels, along with significantly lower Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores and serum pro-inflammatory factor levels in the ProSci-246 group compared with the DSS group. Furthermore, fecal metabolomic analysis showed that ProSci-246 intervention altered DSS-induced fecal metabolic profiles, affecting purine metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the vitamin B6 metabolism pathway in IBD mice. These findings provide a scientific basis and novel perspective for the potential application of ProSci-246 as an alternative probiotic for IBD prevention and treatment.
With greater resilience to digestive distress and unique functional properties, probiotic yeasts are emerging as a promising alternative to conventional probiotics. However, comprehensive genome-oriented investigations associating biological functionality remain limited for Kluyveromyces lactis. In this study, the probiotic potential of the native Kl. lactis strain CUBY-19, isolated from a traditional fermented yak milk product, chhurpi, was comprehensively evaluated through whole-genome analysis and in vitro immunomodulatory activities. Genes linked to the biosynthesis of B-complex vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenate, pyridoxal phosphate, biotin, and folate, in addition to the biosynthesis of essential amino acids, glutathione metabolism, protein glycosylation, carbohydrate utilization, and stress adaptation were detected by whole-genome annotation. On further genome mining, potential health-enhancing bioactive secondary metabolites were identified. Additionally, LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were used to evaluate the antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the Kl. lactis strain CUBY-19. The CUBY-19 CFS was found to protect RAW 264.7 cells significantly (P < 0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, CUBY-19 CFS significantly suppressed (P < 0.05) the production and relative mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, while enhancing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Conclusively, this study establishes the links between genetic and functional traits, demonstrating the antioxidant and immunomodulatory reflections in the Kl. lactis strain CUBY-19 genome. This study also emphasized Kl. lactis strain CUBY-19 as a promising next-generation probiotic yeast with a valuable source of bioactive metabolites with potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and immunonutritional interventions.
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose a significant clinical challenge in companion animal medicine. Increasing antimicrobial resistance and emerging insights into the feline urinary microbiome highlight the potential of probiotic-based therapeutic strategies. However, the scope and quality of existing evidence in feline medicine remain unclear. This study aimed to systematically map and characterize the literature on probiotic microorganisms (particularly Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.) in feline urinary health, identifying research domains, evidence gaps, and future priorities. A scoping review identified peer-reviewed studies addressing FLUTD, urinary microbiota, antimicrobial resistance, and probiotic interventions. Studies were categorized into four domains: clinical burden, microbiome evidence, clinical probiotic evidence, and mechanistic probiotic evidence. Fifty-three studies met inclusion criteria. The main finding of this review is that there is limited to no direct evidence on the use of probiotics for the management of FLUTD or UTIs in cats: only nine studies addressed probiotics (clinical probiotic evidence: n = 5; mechanistic probiotic evidence: n = 4), and no randomized controlled trials specifically assessing probiotic efficacy in cats were identify. Most literature focused on clinical burden (n = 37), comprising epidemiological surveys and antimicrobial resistance reports, whereas microbiome investigations were limited (n = 7). The high prevalence of Escherichia coli and increasing antimicrobial resistance underscore the need for alternative strategies. Addressing this gap through well-designed clinical trials in cats is essential before probiotic-based strategies can be recommended to improve both clinical outcomes and animal welfare in feline patients.
Zingiber officinale Roscoe. is an economically important spice crop severely affected by the rhizome rot caused by the necrotrophic oomycete pathogen Pythium myriotylum, resulting in substantial yield losses. Zingiber zerumbet, a wild relative of cultivated ginger, has innate resistance to several phytopathogens and hence may serve as a source of beneficial endophytic bacteria for the disease management. This study explores the biocontrol potential of endophytic bacteria Paenibacillus kribbensis ZzP, isolated from wild ginger, against P. myriotylum. The selected ZzP isolate was observed to cause 81.25 ± 0.32
Fermented foods are rich sources of diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with promising functional potential. OMICs approaches enable comprehensive characterization. In the Philippines, many regions produce unique fermented foods that may contain potentially beneficial LAB. However, the extent of OMICs’ application in studying these microorganisms remains unclear. This scoping review aims to determine the extent and availability of OMICs-based research investigating the probiotic or psychobiotic potential of LAB isolated from Philippine fermented foods. It also seeks to identify whether such studies are abundant or remain limited. Multiple databases were utilized to identify eligible studies. Studies were defined as peer-reviewed, English-language research articles (2000–2026) that applied OMICs approaches to characterize LAB isolated from Philippine fermented food sources. These studies also had accessible datasets and original analyses. Only five eligible studies were identified, comprising three publications from 2024 and two from 2025, with most consisting of genome announcements and only two full research articles. The reviewed studies showed limited taxonomic, food-source, and geographic coverage, representing only three LAB genera, three Philippine fermented foods, and samples originating exclusively from Central Luzon (Region III). OMICs-based studies on probiotic and psychobiotic LAB from Philippine fermented foods are markedly lacking. The identified studies were few and predominantly employed genomics, with only one study incorporating metabolomics. They are also limited to a single region and a narrow range of fermented foods. Expanding OMICs-driven research is essential to address these gaps, enable deeper characterization, and strengthen the scientific and cultural value of Philippine fermented foods.
